Boris Johnson says he owes everything to the NHS as he urges Brits to vote for their heroes in our Who Cares Wins Awards

I OWE everything to the magnificent men and women of our NHS. So many of us do.

Whether we’re welcoming the joyous arrival of a new life or confronting the darkest of hours of our own, the incredible skill and sheer humanity of our health workers time and again pulls us through.

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And at a time when our nation does not want for heroes, theirs has been the most humbling story of our continuing battle with coronavirus.

For every minute of every hour, for 24 hours a day, our modern army of doctors and nurses, carers who support our loved ones, mental health workers, cleaners, porters, volunteers and so many more have fought this virus with irrepressible courage, compassion and care.

They have risked their lives for us. And many, tragically, have given their lives for us — a debt we can never begin to fully repay. But we can show the depth of our gratitude.

And with the British people proudly taking to their doorsteps every Thursday to clap hands, bang pots, blow trumpets and even set off the odd pyrotechnic, there has seldom been a more fitting time to celebrate The Sun’s Who Cares Wins Awards.

So I urge all Sun readers — and frankly everyone — to support these awards and nominate and vote for your own health heroes.

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Those remarkable individuals and organisations who have touched our lives in the most extraordinary ways.

The consultants who saved our loved ones. The midwives who steered our children into the world.

The care workers who support the elderly and vulnerable every day.

The unsung, unknown heroes whose words of empathy and compassion saw us through the toughest of times.

When I look at the list of categories, I see behind every one the kind of human stories we must cherish.

The stories we will tell our grandchildren.

And this year, as we mark the bicentenary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, The Sun is giving us all the chance to nominate her modern counterpart, the nation’s best nurse.

These last months have been so tough for our country in so many ways.

Yet for all the pain and suffering we are coming through this.

And in doing so, we are showing once again the invincibility of our national spirit.

A spirit perfectly embodied by the extraordinary men and women of our NHS.

So please, join me in taking part in these awards and saying the most enormous and heartfelt thank you.

Campaign's huge boost

THANKS to his Sun gong, Ben West is well on his way to achieving his dream of making mental health first-aid compulsory in teacher training.

The 20-year-old, of Staplehurst, Kent, won our Mental Health Hero Award last year, having set up The Sam West Foundation in memory of his brother, who took his own life.

Student Ben, who subsequently took his petition  to 10 Downing Street, said: “It’s so much more than just an award.

“Winning it tran­s­formed our cam­paign.

"It was huge and we’ve had plenty of oppor­tun­ities since we won.”

Share YOUR stories

OUR heroic NHS staff are risking their lives to care for us during the coronavirus crisis — and now it is OUR turn to say thank you.

Tomorrow, The Sun launches its fourth Who Cares Wins Awards to honour the nation’s healthcare workers who go above and beyond the call of duty to deliver top-class care.

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We want to hear YOUR stories of amazing medical heroes whose self­less acts have touched and saved lives.

The Who Cares Wins Awards have always celebrated our amazing doctors, nurses, midwives, surgeons, volunteers, researchers and charity workers.

The stories of selfless heroism emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic make it more important than ever to celebrate their incredible feats.

Across 11 categories, we will recognise the whole health spectrum, from unsung heroes such as hospital volunteers and cleaners to doctors, midwives, tech ­inno­vators and surgeons.

Plus, any member of the public can be nominated for Ultimate Lifesaver while Young Hero is open for under-18s.

And this year a new category, Best Team, will acknowledge a special group of individuals working together.

UNIQUE CELEBRATION

We want to hear the stand-out stories, whether coronavirus related or not. The closing date for nominations is August 31.

This year’s ceremony will be a unique celebra­tion. The Sun has teamed up with Virgin Radio to host the Big Thank You Tour, featuring top pop acts.

The Who Cares Wins Awards will take place as part of the first gig at Wembley SSE Arena on October 28.

The tour will continue to Manchester Arena on October 29 then Glasgow’s SSE Hydro on November 1.

We are giving away 35,000 tickets to key workers to be our guests of honour.

If Government guidance means the tour cannot proceed this autumn, our ceremony and gigs will be rescheduled.

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The Sun’s Editor-in-chief Victoria ­New­ton said: “The Sun’s Who Cares Wins Awards recognise the hard work, ded­ication and brilliance of NHS staff.

“This year, with so many heroic stories em­erging from the Covid-19 emergency, the awards will be bigger than ever.”

Last year’s event was hosted by Sun columnist Lorraine Kelly and guests included DJ Chris Evans and Prime Minister Boris Johnson.