CELEBS’ SPECIAL ONLINE SHOW FOR THE NHS
PLUS: MANICS ANNOUNCE GIGS FOR HEALTH HEROES
CELEBRITIES across Wales are coming together to raise funds for the NHS as the pandemic continues.
Stars from the world of film, comedy, music and sport will team up tomorrow night to raise vital funds for the Welsh NHS as it battles the coronavirus pandemic.
And rock legends Manic Street Preachers have announed a concert that will be free for NHS staff.
Hollywood stars including Luke Evans, Rhys Ifans and Michael Sheen will join a stellar cast, including Katherine Jenkins, Rob Brydon, Ruth Jones, Gareth Edwards, Max Boyce and Rhod Gilbert, for tomorrow’s live show.
They will be chatting live to host Matt Johnson from 6pm, livestreamed exclusively on WalesOnline’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
The event aims to raise muchneeded donations for the NHS in Wales, and also help spread crucial messages about social distancing and other key measures that will help ease the enormous burden on healthcare workers as the crisis continues.
The NHS Wales Livestream Fundraiser will provide a focal point for households in lockdown in Wales to come together and hear special guests – who will also include Charlotte Church, Gruff Rhys, Mike Phillips, Shane Williams and Craig Roberts – share stories and experiences, and raise the nation’s spirits.
“It is currently an incredibly challenging time for the NHS in Wales,” said Deborah Longman, fundraising manager at Swansea Bay University Health Board, which has organised the over-arching NHS Wales fundraising mission across all Wales’ six health boards that the livestream will contribute to.
“A huge amount of work has taken place to help Wales face the unprecedented challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. There have been sweeping changes across hospitals, while staff have taken on extra duties, additional training and even different roles to ensure the best possible patient care is provided.
“The best thing that the public can do for us right now is to follow government advice. As we have been asking the people of Wales, ‘We come into work for you, please stay home for us.’
“Our needs are changing day by day, hour by hour, we are setting up field hospitals across Wales and changing the ways that we are operating our services.”
The idea is the brainchild of Welsh film director Jamie Adams who has put the line-up together in a little over a week, after being inspired by a similar livestream broadcast in the US and presented by American TV show host Rosie O’ Donnell.
The event starts at 6pm tomorrow, and you can watch it exclusively on WalesOnline’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
To donate to NHS Wales, please go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nhswalesfundraiser
Meanwhile, the Manics have announced two Cardiff arena gigs for the NHS at the end of the year
The shows at the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena will take place on December 4 and 5 – the band’s only dates in Wales this year.
The first night will be a free show for NHS staff, the second open to everyone - with all profits going to NHS Wales charities.
The band, who have championed the NHS for many years, said: “We wanted to do something to show our appreciation, love and respect for the NHS and its amazing brave workers.
“One free show and one fundraising show seemed the best way for us to express our deep gratitude for all their heroic work.”
Tickets for the free concert for NHS Staff on Friday, December 4, 2020, will be limited to two per person (eligible NHS staff members and one guest).
The tickets will be available from tomorrow, at 7pm, through Ticketmaster.
Those eligible for tickets will be all NHS staff that work within NHS hospitals in the United Kingdom including, but not limited to, doctors, nurses, support workers, porters and cleaners.
Any staff that work within the hospital will be eligible to apply for tickets. Eligible NHS staff members are entitled to bring one guest with them but will need two tickets (one for them and one for their guest).
Ticket applications must only be made by the NHS member of staff who must bring their valid NHS or Primary Care Trust ID card (original format, no photocopies) to the show, as ticket checks will be in operation.
All tickets will carry the name of the person who made the booking, and this must match the name that is on the NHS or Primary Care Trust ID card, or admission will be refused.
The guest of the eligible NHS staff member will need to be present and enter the venue at the same time. If you secure tickets in error as you are not NHS staff, please contact the ticket provider to arrange cancellation of those tickets.
If you secure tickets and find that you are unable to attend, please contact the ticket provider to arrange cancellation of these tickets, to enable the tickets to be available to other NHS staff.