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The NHS Spitfire will once more take to the skies above the UK today, flying over hospitals across England and Wales in tribute to the NHS and key workers for their hard work during the pandemic. The Aircraft Restoration Company, a firm which restores vintage aircraft, will fly the plane today.

Those looking up will be able to see the message ‘THANK U NHS’ emblazoned across the underside of its wings.

The blue Spitfire PL983 ‘L’ had been flown every Thursday during lockdown to thank key workers.

Now, it is being flown over hospitals across the country – and is being covered with the names of 80,000 NHS heroes, family members, neighbours and friends nominated by members of the public.

Brits are being offered the opportunity to nominate the name of a loved one to be handwritten onto the Aircraft Restoration Company’s plane in aid of NHS Charities together.

Read More: Coronavirus vaccine: How to volunteer for future NHS vaccine trials

The person nominated can be a family member or neighbour, a close friend or someone who has helped the community during the coronavirus pandemic.

You can nominate someone by visiting the NHS Spitfire JustGiving page and donating £10 or more, mentioning the name you want to be included.

The donation goes towards NHS Charities Together, a collection of charities supporting the NHS.

John Romain, founder and managing director of Aircraft Restoration Company, said: “The response to our initial flight over the last 8pm clap for carers Thursday was incredibly humbling, with hundreds of people from the local community sharing how wonderful it was to not only see the Spitfire, but also to read the message emblazoned across its wings.

“After such positive response we decided to leave the message painted on the Spitfire for the rest of the flying season, this is where the idea to hand write the names of the nation’s loved ones onto the aircraft to raise money for the NHS Charities Together began.”

However if the plane isn’t flying over your area don’t worry, there are more flights planned in the coming weeks. 

An Aircraft Restoration Company spokesperson said: “We hope to see as many of you as possible throughout the duration of this project and will be flying a number of routes across different parts of the nation throughout the summer.

“If we are not coming to skies near you on this occasion then please don’t be disheartened as we will hopefully be getting a little closer on a later route.”

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Where NHS Spitfire will fly over today?

The plane will take off from Duxford Airfield at 10am, before making its way to Kettering General Hospital, Danetre Hospital and Hospital of St Cross.

Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Hereford, Shrewsbury and Gloucester will also be on the route today.

After a short break at Cotswold Airport, the NHS Spitfire will once more take to the skies flying over Great Western Hospital, Chippenham and Trowbridge community hospitals and Bath, before heading across to Wales.

The full route is below, with timings for each location. However, anyone looking to the skies should bear in mind weather can alter these timings.

NHS Spitfire Route (Tuesday, August 18 2020) Updated route:

10.00am – Duxford Airfield (Take-off)

10.15am – Kettering General Hospital NHS

10.22am – Danetre Hospital NHS – Daventry

10.26am – Hospital of St Cross NHS, Rugby

10.33am – University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire NHS

10.40am – Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS, Birmingham

10.45am – New Cross Hospital NHS, Wolverhampton

10.51am – The Princess Royal Hospital NHS, Telford

10.55am – The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust

11.02am – Ludlow Community Hospital NHS

11.10am – Hereford County Hospital NHS

11.17am – Worcester Royal Hospital NHS

11.25am – Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – Cheltenham

11.30am – Gloucester Royal Hospital NHS

11.35am – Cotswold Airport, Kemble (Land)

2.00pm – Cotswold Airport, Kemble (Take-off)

2.05pm – Great Western Hospital NHS – Swindon

2.12pm – Chippenham Community Hospital NHS

2.16pm – Trowbridge Community Hospital NHS

2.20pm – Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust

2.25pm – Southmead Hospital – North Bristol NHS Trust

2.27pm – Bristol Royal Infirmary NHS

2.38pm – Yeovil District Hospital NHS

2.45pm – Musgrove Park Hospital NHS – Taunton

2.53pm – Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital NHS – Wonford

3.05pm – North Devon District Hospital NHS – Barnstaple

3.18pm – Morriston Hospital NHS – Swansea

3.30pm – University Hospital of Wales NHS – Cardiff

3.35pm – Royal Gwent Hospital NHS – Newport

3.40pm – Chepstow Community Hospital NHS

3.50pm – Cotswold Airport, Kemble (Land)

5.00pm – Great Western Hospital NHS – Swindon – on the way back to Duxford

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