Volunteer army grows

THE magnificent response to our Christmas campaign gets better and better.

Less than 72 hours after we appealed for volunteers to help in the NHS, no fewer than 11,000 readers have rallied to the call – pledging a staggering 600,000 hours of their precious time. This appeal has not only captured the public imagination, it has sparked a national debate.

We’ve seen a huge wave of enthusiasm from NHS leaders, unions and celebrities. And yesterday a study by the eminent King’s Fund showed that 90 per cent of health professionals believe volunteers play a crucial role – bringing ‘ human kindness’ to busy hospitals.

So once again, we salute our extraordinary readers and urge them to spread the message to their friends and family. They too can make a difference, by giving vulnerable patients the gift of their time.