AS WE near VE Day and remember those who gave their lives during the Second World War, we also remember nurses, doctors, care workers and other frontline keyworkers who are risking theirs now to help combat the coronavirus.

In a week where millions across the country celebrated the beginning of the end of World War II after Germany’s surrender of their armed forces some 75 years ago, countries across the world today continue to battle against the Covid-19 virus, which has claimed over 28,000 lives in the UK and a quarter of a million globally.

We asked you to nominate your NHS Heroes who continue to help, support and care for people with the virus or shielding from it and we were inundated by your responses.

These workers make a small difference in making the world safer for us all and we wanted to thank them for their ongoing hard work and commitment in serving own country on the frontline.

Shannon Crumpler wanted to nominate her mother Amanda Crumpler, Deputy Manager of Linkfield Court Bournemouth, who continues to support and help vulnerable individuals with dementia come to terms with the lockdown.

Shannon said: “She does such long hours every day, sometimes up to a 16-hour shift. She works so incredibly hard in this job especially in this awful time.

“My mum missed her 50th birthday celebrations due to this and she had to work looking after them and being a very important team member as well as a Deputy Manager.

“She has struggled with staffing issues from going from a lot of staff to just a small team and has still managed to be positive and get through it and making the residents her number one priority.”

Magdalena Fratczyk works as a Deputy Manager at Avon View in Christchurch, an 80-bed residential and nursing care home for the elderly which is part of Tricuro Care and Support group.

She wanted to nominate her manager Amanda Elliott as her NHS Hero for taking drastic action at the beginning of the pandemic to ensure safety of our elderly residents and to ensure staff at Avon View have all required PPE.

Magdalena said: “When we had our first case of Covid-19 confirmed at Easter time when two residents were taken to the hospital with symptoms and tested, Amanda's decision was to lockdown the units immediately so the virus won't spread.

“Amanda fought hard with authorities in order to get as many residents as possible tested. At that time officials were refusing testing residents or staff, but Amanda have managed to get four and later on six residents with symptoms tested.

“Only three of them were tested positive – and all were on the same dementia unit. So, the lockdown has worked.”

Amanda has since signed up for taking part in pilot program run by CQC and 10 more residents from the home tested last week.

Amanda’s husband has underlying health conditions which place him in the vulnerable category of the population susceptible to the virus. She has taken the decision to work from the home in order to limit the contact time spent with her husband.

Magdalena added: “She has always been there to support her staff and give them reassurance, working extremely hard to maintain safe staffing levels to ensure our residents have all the care and support they need.”

Paul Hicks, a hospital cleaner from Poole has been nominated by his daughter Natalie Hicks for putting his own life at risk at the frontline of the virus in ensuring the wards high cleaning standards are maintained during the outbreak.

She said: "My dad is always the first on scene when they have to do a Covid-19 clean and if it wasn't for the cleaners then the hospital would have more infections and diseases.

"He's a runner and has done some big runs over the years raising money for Coronary Care Unit in Poole Hospital to raise money to buy the ward a tablet so that the poorly patients can Skype their friends and families.

"My dad is our hero and biggest inspiration and has always supported us in what we have wanted to do and continues to do so."

Georgina Arnold wanted to nominate her mother Ruth Arnold, a Deputy Manager of the Retired Nurses National Home in Bournemouth.

She said: “She has stayed late every single day since the pandemic started, even working nine full days in a row some weeks.

“She is not only helping the running of the care home and assisting the manager but making sure that every single resident is OK and helping the families of residents who have been affected by this virus.

“She works so hard and still manages to keep smiling.”

Robert King has put forward Philippa Morrison to be nominated as an NHS Hero, for continuing to work on the Macmillan Unit at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, helping both Covid and non-Covid patients who have cancer whilst on her two weeks annual leave.

Deyna Bartlett-Williams wanted to nominate her mother Angela Bartlett along with her colleagues at Alderney Hospital in Poole.

She said: “They are doing everything they can to keep the elderly community safe and well.

“She is very modest about how hard she is working so I’d love her to get the recognition she deserves.”

Kelly Williams has been nominated by Sara Taylor who continues to help others through her role on the frontline at Poole Hospital.

“Kelly is a beautiful person inside and out, has a young family yet still works hard to help save the lives of others during these difficult times,” said Sara.

“As well as working hard during the coronavirus and at all other times at the hospital, she has also recently lost her dearly loved Grandad. Thank you, Kelly, for everything you do.”

Sisters Evie and Erin Barnes has nominated their mother Sarah Louise Lillington Barnes, a FSO at Co Op Funeral Care in Parkstone.

Evie said: “She is extremely hardworking, resilient and brave, and although we are all experiencing difficult and stressful times, she keeps her head high.

“With everything that is happening, she still puts 100% of her effort into her work every day and still loves the job she does, even though it leaves her exhausted every night. She is caring and loving and shows this every day.

“My mum, and all other funeral care workers, deserve just as much praise as the nurses and doctors of the NHS because just like them, they are putting themselves and their families at risk every day when they go to work.”

Nastassja Williamson, a healthcare assistant working at Broomfiled Hospital in Chelmsford, has been nominated by her sister Abigayle Van Der Watt.

The 30-year-old contracted Covid19 after suffering from Hereditary Angioedema, rare genetic condition that causes swelling under the skin and weakens the immune system.

Having recovered, she back in hospital holding the hands of those dying alone from this virus.

Abigayle said: “She is working only on the wards with confirmed cases to not spread the infection. She is pushing her body beyond her limits, much like most of our key workers.

“She’s scared, but while we sit in our homes, she’s supporting terrified, lonely patients in hospital beds. Nastassja’s risking everything she is, to be a part of this battle against Covid-19.”