More than 9,000 people sent personal messages to NHS staff – here are just a few of them:

“Thank you so much for all the hard work you do every day. Please know that you are massively appreciated and fully supported in choosing to going on strike. You deserve a good wage and a lot of respect and gratitude for your efforts. You get up every day and help people and that is no small feat. These are people who are probably too frightened or in pain to thank you properly, so thank you on their behalf and on mine and my family's because we love the NHS and you are the NHS!”

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“A massive thank you straight from the heart to our treasured NHS and everyone of its hard working, over stretched members. You ALL do an outstanding job and we couldn’t do without you! Do what you feel you need to in order to be rightly recognised and rightly rewarded. Good luck and thank you once again x”

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“Thank you for all you do, going above and beyond the call of duty, I and my family appreciate it all, and know that you deserve much more than has been offered, so that you can continue to do all that you do but still support yourselves and your loved ones.”

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You hold our minds and bodies when we are at our most damaged and vulnerable: thank you for your love x

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“Thank you doesn’t even come close to how I feel about our NHS, each and everyone of the people who organise and deliver health care for us is an hero in our house, always have been and always will. The NHS for our society is so important, the most treasured institution not only for us but the world as ever seen or known. Health care free at the point of clinical need was and still is a radical idea for many on the planet, a radical idea we now take for granted that is being slowly taken away from us. When I am being treated by our wonderful NHS staff I am truly humbled by their caring nature and knowledge of their respective roles. Honestly I think if our NHS like I think of our family, we may not always agree, we may have issues problems and difficulties but they are our issues, problems and difficulties and we will find a way. All the very best to each and every single one of you.”

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In my, far too many, visits to hospital, everybody, from paramedics, nurses, doctors, to porters, tea ladies and cleaners, have all always been a comfort and source of optimism, thank you all.

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"Much esteemed NHS worker, whether you are a consultant nurse receptionist or cleaner I would like to give you my sincere thanks and good wishes. I honestly don't know how we will cope without your dedication professionalism and kindness. I am sure that many of the general public will agree that one of you is worth more than the whole government to us as through the pandemic and all horrors since you have stood by our sides given us comfort and done your best to help us be a fitter healthier version of ourselves. One of your number held my Father's hand as his life ended because of old age and afterwards as we his family gathered offered sympathy and kindness. If the tories win and we lose our country's finest achievement the NHS our lives will not just be financially worse off we will be left to die because health will only be available to the wealthy. I'm am hoping the general public do truly value your service to us and stand by your side in solidarity.”

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“You have the support of millions. Good luck with your fight.”

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You are my heroes. You held my mother’s hand as she died. You cried with me when you called to tell me she had gone. You tested and found the cancer in my husband and became the anchor in his life. You give everything to keep us alive. I will always be on your side. Thank you all. 

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“Dear Nurses - you do a fantastic job of looking after us when we are sick and vulnerable! I’m with you every step of the way in your fight for a decent wage the recognises your skills and dedication. Don’t let them grind you down. Decent people in this country know how much you deserve the pay increase you’re looking for. Good luck and solidarity.”

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Dear all NHs staff (porters, nurses, doctors and consultants - all if you) over the last year and still continuing, I have been totally dependent on you - your kindness, cheer and compassion, your expertise, efficiency and professionalism and  your ability to uplift in the dark moments and your willingness to go the extra mile to make a difference. I have so appreciated your work and the caring way you give it. You are so valued and appreciated by our household for helping me stay out of danger and bringing joy to the life I have. Thank you. I know how exhausted you are and how overwhelmed you feel at times and feel angry at our government who claps but does not listen to your needs. I stand with you even though I will really miss you at my next hospital admission. Thank you. 

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“I worked for NHS for 44 years. Recently became sick and had to retire 7 years earlier than I wanted. I truly believe nurses are worth far more in salary as well as respect than you are getting or are being shown. For too long nurses have been taken for granted. If I was still practicing I would be in a dilemma as, with all nurses we didn’t go into nursing to strike. That said I fully support you. Selfishly I’m happy not to have to make that decision. Well done, good luck and HUGE RESPECT”

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“I worked for the NHS as a nurse for 48 years,Not once did the government deliver on a Decent pay rise so I just want to take this opportunity to say a massive Thank you for your service, compassion, solidarity and I stand with you for a Decent wage for Nurses, Doctors and paramedics who need to be treated with the Respect you all deserve!! Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year God Bless you all❤️🩹💙💙💙”

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Wishing you all the best for you and your families this Christmas. I'm thankful for all you do for us and the government should pay you the money you deserve and show its gratitude instead of penalizing you for the hard work and commitment you all have. I support all you are doing to get a fair pay. Stay safe and have a Merry Christmas. 💙

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“Thank you for helping me and my partner survive three cancers in the last four years, not to mention Covid.  You deserve better from the government and we are behind you.”

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“You have my backing, and we stand with you all the way.”

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“Hope all is well we understand your solidarity your hard work and determination for fairer wages hopefully it succeed.”

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“It makes me so upset to hear of NHS staff having to use food banks, pay to park at their places of work and work long hours because of unfilled vacancies. Thank you for all you do. You deserve to be paid your true value.”

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“Hi everyone there on the front line as always 🙏

I am behind you all the way and you are not asking for too much.

Without you all where would we be after all 😞

I wish you everything you all deserve and our wonderful ambiance service x

I do appreciate what you do for us even when things don’t go so well x but I still want to say Go go go NHS 🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️”

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"I would like to add my thanks to all NHS staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the Covid pandemic and beyond,  risking their health to save lives. You are underpaid and overworked but be assured not undervalued by the British public. I have recently undergone surgery and have witnessed first hand how underfunded the NHS is., with staff still working extremely hard under these circumstances Despite the shortage of nurses and increased workloads the care I was given by the nursing staff and surgical team was amazing. I am grateful to you all xxx”

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“Mine and my husband’s lives were saved by you wonderful people. My daughter’s a midwife and the hours she works can’t be safe for anyone. Best wishes to you all. ❤️”

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"Greetings, I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone one working in the NHS, you are amazing. I am sorry that, as a nation, we have not respected you as we should. For the long hours you work & give so selflessly of your selves, often in such difficult circumstances.I really hope that you get the pay rise that you deserve & are able to live your lives to the full, with our worrying about debt or exhaustion.Every day i give thanks for the wonderful people that work tirelessly & to the best of their ability to keep our nation in the best possible health.Thank You 💙"

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“Thank you so much for everything you doing for us!❤”

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"We have found ourselves in a place that we didn't expect, with an unelected Prime Minister and a financial situation nobody signed up for. There doesn't seem to be much 'the people' can do to control things right now without having a general election but we can send you support for your strikes and say thank you for all that you do. My daughter broke her arm very badly in September and although I could see the pressure everyone was under who dealt with our treatment over the months, the care was still there and everyone was trying their best. I hope you get the pay rise you very much deserve and I hope you realise that the general public recognise your value."

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“To all NHS staff whatever their role I salute you having been in need of their services twice in the last year - cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy then fractured my hip and wrist. You work tirelessly with little thanks because you care. Many thanks and I support your cause”

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“Thank you for your ongoing support and help, hope you have a fantastic Christmas and a happy new year. 🎅🌈”

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“I want to thank you for your total dedication to your profession over the past couple of years or so. You haven't previously asked for much but you have never had the support of this government and I think it's time they stepped up to the plate, and paid you a decent wage for what is an extremely difficult, stressful job. No one deserves the pay rise as much as all of you and I hope to god this government see sense and show they value you, as the public does. Thank you all so much. I hope you all have a great Christmas and hopefully the New Year will make changes for the better for you. ♥️”

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“We all know how hard you worked to care for us and our loved ones throughout the pandemic. Post pandemic the pressure continues as a result of government underfunding and outsourcing, and astronomical rises in the cost of living. NHS workers deserve a pay rise and we all deserve and need a properly funded, publicly owned NHS that will ensure health and care is free to everyone at the point of need. NHS funding should be spent on NHS services and NHS workers, not shareholder dividends and company profits. You have my full support and respect. Solidarity.”

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"Thank you !!! I am 75 and without the NHS I would not be alive today Thank you to all the Nurses Doctors and consultants who have been so kind to me and my family your selfless dedication is far beyond what should be expected of any man or women. Thank you"

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"Thanks so much for your dedication, care and hard work. We are indebted to you and you deserve improved pay and nursing staff increase numbers. Happy Christmas 🎄🤶"

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"You lot look after us from the day we're born until the day we die. It's about time you were rewarded for the true value you bring to society - stay strong and continue to fight for better pay and conditions! Thanks for all you do."

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“I value everything you do and fully support the NHS workforce in the endeavour to keep going under enormous physical and financial pressure. Please keep going!❤️”

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“You are the backbone of our society and deserve to be treated with respect, love and huge gratitude. I hope you stay strong and receive everything you ask for.”

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My daughter was in hospital on and off for 3 years awaiting a liver transplant. Sadly she died but without the support of the wonderful NHS nurses I don't know how we would have got through it. I support you all the way. This government should be bending their knee to all of you

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“Thank you for all you do to keep us safe and healthy . You all deserve a better deal than this government are willing to give . We as a nation will have to keep plugging away on your behalf. Thank you and merry Christmas ❤️”

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Until COVID struck I think we all took our NHS for granted....for me that's certainly no longer the case. NHS staff showed they are amazingly dedicated and many died for their commitment and professionalism. Thank you ❤️

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“My daughter is an NHS worker and makes me immensely proud every day . Long hours, hard work and sadly at times people lashing out when it's the government hiding in Whitehall who deserve it. From porters to surgeons to cleaners to radiographers to nurses and every one in between. You do a phenomenal job and deserve better and proper rewards for being amazing every day. My heartfelt thanks to you all. Everyone is touched by our NHS. Love it and fight for it please ❤️”

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“The NHS team of people such as yourselves is of immense importance to me. Without your intervention I might not be here at all and certainly not with the good health I currently enjoy. You also saved the life of my grandson when he went into severe anaphylactic shock at 7months. As I watch him grow and develop with your ongoing support I am literally grateful everyday. I am so sorry that you are forced into industrial action and you have my full support.”

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I agree wholeheartedly that NHS professionals deserve a level of pay that reflects all the studying, responsibility, dedication and care that they make and financial improvements are needed. My husband died of cancer last year and consequently after years of observation of the work that is done I have the utmost respect for all NHS angels in hospitals and the community who cannot survive on their mostly altruistic nature. As a society we should value you more , the government should wake up and realise your importance. Thank you 🙏Well Done🙏 I support you all the way 🙏

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“What would we do without you all? You have been so kind and professional any time I have been looked after at my local woman’s health clinic. I’ve been treated with so much compassion and when needed humour. I even was given an appointment at the end of a clinic so I didn’t have to wait 6 weeks for face to face consultation. Time you probably weren’t paid for - again! It makes me so mad that you aren’t paid properly. You are worth so much more than a door step clap. I’d like to see your salary matched with MPs! Merry Christmas especially to those who will work over the holiday to look after us and miss time with your family”

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To you all at Christmas and all through the year you are the back bone of our country as a dad to a child that was born 13 weeks early and very ill and nearly died with out your care and special treatment you gave to my son he would not have been here you are fantastic caring people I can only say thank you so much 😊 😀 you wonderful people xxx

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Dear NHS staff, I fully support your strike action, I'm heartbroken for you because of the way the gov is treating you. I have a terminal illness and I am so grateful for your care, support, kind words and being able to make people laugh. You deserve so much better than what you have now. You are everything to me and many others. 

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"You saved my life this year. Yes - you did. With an operation that worked a miracle. How can anyone thank you enough for all you do. we'll support you in any way we can. Thank you a million times"

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To all NHS staff, i find it hard to believe you have been forced into the situation you are in, especially after covid, without you all many more people would have died   You deserve all the gratitude we can give you. We all clapped for you as heros and you are. The rest of us definitely could not manage without you . Thankyou, thankyou for all that you do, we appreciate you all. 

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“I just wanted to share my solidarity with all nurses and health care workers and say a big thank you for the hard work you all do in the most difficult circumstances. You deserve everything you are asking for and more and you can rely on my continued support throughout your campaign xx”

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“A really big Thank You to all NHS workers, Without your hard work and diligence I would have lost my beloved brother in law this summer and my husband's prostate cancer would not have been picked up as he had not symptoms. The care and help that they are receiving is priceless. You all deserve so much more than this government is offering you and in the resources to make your job manageable.”

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“Backing you all the way, whatever you need to do to get what you need and deserve. ❤️”

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I'm with all of the nurses and other NHS workers who are striking or taking other action to improve their pay, conditions and the NHS staffing situation in general. Last year, when I had a heart attack, staff at the CCU at the QE in Birmingham literally saved my life. Without people like you, many more of us would die or suffer long-term problems than is currently the case. You have my support, always, and like many others, I want our politicians to listen and take steps to improve pay and staffing levels in the NHS.

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“We are with you and support you the way that you’ve supported us. You all deserve a decent wage and so much more than claps on the doorstep. Your tireless dedication and hard work IS seen and very much appreciated by us. Thank you all so much for what you do ❤️ Xx”

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“I support your campaign for fair pay. You work incredibly hard in very difficult circumstances and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do. My dear late Dad was a consultant paediatrician working in the NHS his whole life until retirement in 2000. He felt disillusioned by the new management styles coming in and felt it was the beginning of the end of his beloved NHS. He would be heart broken for you all. Keep going and know you are highly valued by us all. Thank you.”

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“We’re behind you in your struggle for better pay. You do so much for us all everyday and we’re so grateful to you. I wish the Government thought the same and rewarded you adequately.”

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“Thank you so much for all that you do day in and day out. I have had to use the NHS twice recently and saw just how incredibly busy you are. However I was met with kindness and professionalism throughout. I fully support your campaign for a cost of living pay increase. You absolutely deserve it. With love to each and every one of you xxxx”

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“You are the angels that look after us all the year round and you should be looked after too. I support your strike and hope you get a great big Christmas present from this government. With very best wishes for 2023 and onwards.”

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“Dear NHS staff, I'm so impressed with your tireless care for your patients under such difficult circumstances. Don't give up fighting for better pay and more recognition from those in power. We're behind you all the way ❤️”

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“A big hug and thank you for all your efforts. Not enough words to express our gratitude. God bless you all.”

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”What would we do without you all? You have been so kind and professional any time I have been looked after … it makes me so mad that you aren’t paid properly. And I know you have all been working so much unpaid overtime just to keep us all safe.”

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“As a retired Cardiology Registered Nurse, I know how hard everyone in the NHS works and how undervalued your hard work feels. Please know that I and everyone I know appreciates all that you do. I have been a staff member and a patient of the NHS and I wouldn't be here without your hard work. You're all amazing and I support you all the way.”

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I completely support your fight both to ensure you’re paid a proper wage for the incredible hard work you do for us but also to ensure sufficient investment in the NHS to enable you to retain staff and attract others. I believe strongly in the NHS being a properly public funded organisation free for everyone and available whenever we need it. You have all made such sacrifices over and above what could be expected and you should be paid according to your worth and thanked financially for everything you have done and continue to do against the odds. Thank you all. 🌈❤️✊✊✊

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“Thank you for all you have done in very difficult times. Exhausting. I hope you get the pay rise you need and deserve.”

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If you don't work for the NHS and you're reading this – together, we're chipping in to send thousands of these messages on postcards to NHS hospitals across the country. The more we raise, the more postcards we can send. Let's make sure NHS nurses, doctors, midwives, porters and staff member get to read messages like this while they're on shift this winter – click here to cover the cost of a postcard for just £2.80 now.