Be sure to add ‘look up’ to your agenda tomorrow, because a World War II aircraft is set to light up the Yorkshire skies with gratitude – emblazoned with the words ‘Thank U NHS’.
Heading to the region from Duxford Airfield, the special plane will fly over a number of Yorkshire hospitals so NHS staff can spot it, beginning with Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield at approximately 11.38am. The plane was originally set to make its special flight over our region just last week, however, was forced to reschedule as a result of bad weather.
Check out the full schedule below:
- 11.38am – Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield
- 11.42am – St Mary’s Hospital, Leeds
- 10.45am – Bradford Royal Infirmary
- 11.51am – Harrogate District Hospital
- 11.57am – York Hospital
- 12.08pm – Friarage Hospital, Northallerton
- 12.14pm – Darlington Memorial Hospital
- 12.20pm – Landing at Teeside Airport
The flight will later soar over Northumberland, before heading back over Yorkshire and making an appearance over East Yorkshire, with the predicted schedule as follows:
- 2.39pm – Airdale General Hospital, Keighley
- 2.57pm – Alfred Bean Hospital, Driffield
- 3.03pm – Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham
- 3.05pm – Hull Royal Infirmary
- 3.10pm – Landing at Humberside Airport
Unfortunately for those living in South Yorkshire, this time, only North, West and East Yorkshire will get the chance to spot the aircraft, however, the plane has made several flights across the UK since the final Clap For Our Carers – so it may be flying over your town one day soon, too.
As a way to honour our friends and our loved ones, the Aircraft Restoration Company – who own the plane – are also accepting nominations for names to be handwritten onto the plane. Whether it be a family member who helped put a smile back on your face during lockdown, or a key worker who’s been working exceptionally hard during the pandemic – entrants are encouraged to nominate whoever they like, with room for 80,000 names on the aircraft. Find out more about the fundraiser and name nominations here.
