12 January 2021
Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke has shared a message of thanks to health care professionals for their services amid the COVID pandemic.
The 34-year-old actress took to Instagram on International Thank You Day on Monday and posted a message of gratitude for nurses and health care workers, reports ANI News.
In the video message, Clarke says: "I just want to say a massive thank you to the NHS (Britain’s National Health Service), everyone who works at the NHS ... from our beloved nurses to the surgeons, the doctors, the psychotherapists.
"Everyone who works there, thank you. In these incredibly frightening times, you are keeping us alive ... so thank you."
The actress also said that "I believe NHS workers should get what they deserve (fair pay), for doing what they do for us” and asked her fans to join her in demanding fair pay to the NHS workers.
She captioned the post as "This #InternationalThankYouDay I want to shout from the rooftops #ThankYouNHS !!".
"The incredible work they do for us deserves our thanks love and our support in demanding #fairpay .#WithNHSStaff. THANK YOU NHS!!!!" added Clarke.
International Thank You Day is an annual celebration observed on January 11 every year, encouraging people to express their gratitude to those who make their lives better.
Former English football star Gary Lineker, comedian Jo Brand and Hollywood actor David Oyelowo are among celebrities also backing the fair pay campaign launched on International Thank You Day by British health unions.
The 14 unions are urging the public to use social media to champion the vital work of all health staff by supporting a decent pay rise.
The unions – representing workers including 1.3 million nurses, cleaners, administrators, physiotherapists, health care assistants, dieticians, radiographers, porters, midwives, paramedics, and other NHS employees – are asking people to share hashtags such as #FairPay, #WithNHSStaff and to message their MPs, reports The Royal College of Midwives.
Executive director for external relations at the Royal College of Midwives Jon Skewes, who is also treasurer for the NHS group of unions, said: “NHS staff are currently holding the country together. They’re facing a challenge like never before, which is made worse by staffing shortages.
“The Government needs to act now to acknowledge their contribution and commitment. Ministers must give staff an early and significant pay rise that would help restore their pay in real terms. It would also ensure there are enough staff to future-proof the NHS."
UNISON head of health Sara Gorton, who also chairs the NHS group of unions, said: “The NHS is facing the worst crisis in its history. “Everyone is relying on health workers in many different roles to see us through. Clapping has been a way of showing support, but the Government now needs to pay up.”