Published on: 28 August 2020

We are so excited to announce that the "Thank U NHS" Spitfire will fly over the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital this weekend. 

The aircraft is covered with the names of 80,000 NHS staff, family members, neighbours and friends nominated by members of the public to recognise the huge sacrifices and acts of kindness over the last few months.

The Spitfire will take off from Duxford Airfield near Cambridge at 10am on Sunday 30 August, and fly over the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital at 14.18pm 

Those lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the blue Spitfire will be able to see the message "Thank U NHS" written across the underside of its wings. 

We'd love you to share your photos with us if you capture any! Either tag or DM us on Facebook or Twitter or email them to communications@elht.nhs.uk - we can then share them with staff who will be working on the wards!

NHS Spitfire route on Sunday 30 August: 

10:00 Duxford Airfield - Take off 

10:19 Leicester Royal Infirmary NHS 

10:27 Royal Derby Hospital NHS 

10:37 Royal Stoke University Hospital NHS 

10:47 Countess of Chester Hospital NHS 

10:54 Warrington and Halton Hospital NHS 

11:00 The Royal Liverpool Hospital NHS 

11:04 St Helens Hospital NHS 

11:10 Southport and Formby District General Hospital NHS 

11:15 Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS 

11:20 Blackpool Airport - Land 

14:00 Blackpool Airport - Take off 

14:07 Royal Lancaster Infirmary NHS 

14:13 Royal Preston Hospital NHS 

14:18 Royal Blackburn Hospital NHS 

14:26 Bradford Royal Infirmary NHS 

14:30 Calderdale Royal Hospital NHS - Halifax 

14:32 Halifax Huddersfield Royal Infirmary NHS 

14:37 Rochdale Infirmary NHS 

14:42 Royal Bolton Hospital NHS 

14:45 North Manchester General Hospital NHS 

14:47 Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust 

14:49 Trafford General Hospital NHS 

14:53 Wythenshawe Hospital NHS - Altrincham 

14:55 Stepping Hill Hospital NHS - Stockport 

15:16 Melton Mowbray Hospital NHS 

15:36 Duxford Airfield - Land