This fantastic campaign for awesome NHS

THIS unprecedented period has been a challenge for the whole country.

Across the UK, people have made so many sacrifices by staying at home, going through the hardship of isolation and being separated from their families and loved ones.

In these difficult times, and as we continue to recover from and defeat this deadly virus, we have never had more reason to be grateful for the NHS and all the people who work in it.

In April, I experienced first-hand the dedication and commitment of our wonderful NHS staff after I was admitted to hospital with coronavirus.

At the time, I felt frustrated that my health had deteriorated so quickly. But the seriousness of the situation hit me when I was wired up to monitors, given oxygen and moved to intensive care.

As I’ve said before, I was very lucky. There is no doubt that the NHS saved my life, and it was only thanks to the brilliant nurses and doctors who worked tirelessly round the clock that I survived.

Two nurses in particular — Jenny and Luis — stayed by my bedside for 48 hours when things could have gone either way. I was fortunate enough to meet them again last week, so I could thank them in person.

But it is not just doctors and nurses. Every day hundreds of thousands of people — from therapists and porters, to cooks and cleaners — have been working hard to save countless lives.

At the start of the month we celebrated the 72nd anniversary of the NHS, and once again I want to pay tribute to those NHS staff who have gone above and beyond not just during this pandemic, but every day they have worked in our health service.

That’s why I wholeheartedly support the Daily Mail’s NHS Health Hero Awards, which celebrates NHS staff and volunteers who have gone the extra mile.

This fantastic campaign also supports NHS Charities Together, a group of more than 250 charitable organisations which raise vast sums for the NHS every year.

This has been a hugely challenging year for everyone working in the NHS, and these awards are a great opportunity to recognise the aweinspiring efforts of just some of those who have made a huge difference to someone else’s life.