Spitfire salute to say thank you to NHS
A SPITFIRE flyover passed over Southport Hospital to pay tribute to NHS workers.
Taking off from its home base at the Duxford historic airfield in Cambridgeshire, the aircraft - emblazoned with “Thank U NHS” on its undercarriage - flew over a number of hospitals in the region on Sunday, August
30.
Members of the public had been offered a chance to nominate peoples’ names to be hand written on to the familyowned aircraft, to raise money for NHS Charities Together.
The distinctive blue Spitfire was specifically built and used for photo reconnaissance during World War Two, carrying cameras instead of weapons.
It had been used for hospital flyovers during the weekly ‘Clap for Carers’ celebration and stretched its journey across the country to visit more areas for the first time.
The aim of the flypasts was to lift the spirits of those across the UK, many of who are still living in some form of isolation, while also thanking the hospitals, communities and individuals who have been at the forefront of helping to get the country through the pandemic.
The fundraising drive is an echo of the one that took place during the 1940s, when Spitfire funds were set up by local communities around the UK and
Commonwealth countries to encourage a sense of purpose and hope in the struggle against adversity.
Following the NHS’s 72nd birthday on July 5, members of the public were asked to nominate the names of people who offered essential help during the pandemic to be written on the plane.
The owners of the Aircraft Restoration Company said: “From a supportive family member to a kind neighbour, local community hero to frontline worker, you can say thank you for their support through the Covid-19 pandemic by nominating their name to be written upon the NHS Spitfire.”