Britain’s most iconic aircraft will pay tribute to the staff at York Hospital with a flypast tomorrow (Wednesday, 16 September).
A Spitfire, emblazoned with the words ‘Thank U NHS’, is due to flyover the hospital at 10.55am.
The plane, which worked on photo-reconnaissance missions during the Second World War, is touring UK hospitals and raising money for NHS Charities Together.
It belongs to the family-owned Aircraft Restoration Company. They first began flypasts as part of the ‘clap for carers’ tributes.
And now it is on a three-day tour of the North of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and North Wales.
It is due to come past at these times – but the flight paths and timings can change depending on the conditions:
- 10.00am Depart Duxford
- 10.38am Fly over Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield
- 10.41am Fly over St Mary’s Hospital, Leeds
- 10.44am Fly over Bradford Hospital
- 10.50am Fly over Harrogate Hospital
- 10.55am Fly over York Hospital
- 11.10am Fly over Friarage Hospital, Northallerton
- 11.15am Fly over Darlington Hospital
- 11.20am Land at Teesside Airport.
Add your name
People can nominate a name to be hand written onto the Spitfire as part of the fund-raising campaign.
It can be your own name, or that of a family member or close friend.
So how do you do it?
Step 1: Who was there to help and to lift your spirits, just when you needed it the most? Choose one person who you feel deserves a special mention.
Step 2: Donate a minimum of £10 on this JustGiving/NHSSpitfire fundraising page. Within the donation comment box, include the following:
- First and last name of the person you are nominating
- The reason why you are nominating them
Step 3: Submit your nomination and become part of the story.
The Spitfire PL983, nicknamed ‘L’ was specifically built and used for photo reconnaissance during the war, carrying cameras instead of weapons. It was also air-raced by the famous female ATA pilot Lettice Curtis.