VIDEO: Celebrities Wish NHS Staff Merry Christmas

TOP GEAR presenters Freddie Flintoff, Chris Harris and Paddy McGuinness are just some of the famous faces who have wished staff at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust a Merry Christmas.

Video messages for the 25,000-plus colleagues who work at hospitals across Manchester and Trafford were collected by Manchester Foundation Trust Charity, the charitable arm of the Trust, as a special festive "thank you" for their hard work this year. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is the largest NHS Trust in the country.

Presenter and actor James Corden, sports presenter Jamie Redknapp, comedian Romesh Ranganathan, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester City player İlkay Gündoğan and the Charity's own patrons including John Thomson, Tina O'Brien, Samia Longchambon, Jennie McAlpine and Ashley Taylor Dawson all recorded well wishes for everyone working at the Trust's family of hospitals.

James Corden was clearly moved when he recorded his message, saying: "I just wanted to wish a very Happy Christmas to all of the hard-working staff at the NHS hospitals in Manchester and Trafford.

"I can't begin to think how difficult this year must have been for every single one of you. But please don't think it's ever taken for granted. The work that you do is vital and it means more than you will ever know....that you're there, doing what you do. Thank you so much, for this year, and all of the years to come. And I hope you have a very, very Happy Christmas. Lots of love."

The stars of Top Gear recorded their message while on set filming the new series. Paddy McGuinness says: "We wanted to wish you all a wonderful and Merry Christmas. Thank you so much to all the NHS staff in Manchester and the NHS staff all across the UK. You are amazing! Merry Christmas everybody." To which Freddie Flintoff, who is holding the camera, jokes: "That pretty much covers it, cheers Pad.....that's Chris Harris that one."

John Thomson, who has been a supporter of the Charity since it was first created to help fund the building of the new children's hospital, donned a festive hat and sat by his Christmas tree to record his message. He said: "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our NHS workers in Manchester and Trafford. Well done this year. What a year it's been. And thank you, once again, for all the tremendous work you all do, no matter what level you're at. Thank you so much for your hard work this year and every year.

"I'm very proud to have these wonderful hospitals on my doorstep. So thank you, thank you, thank you. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Let's hope 2021 is a good 'un!"

Comedian Romesh Ranganathan recorded his message by opening with a big 'thank you' to all the NHS teams in Manchester and Trafford. He goes on to say: "It's been a horrible year for everybody, and you've gone through the same year as we have, but on top of that you've been helping everyone else to get through it. So thank you so much for all of your hard work. We don't take it for granted."

Other people who contributed Christmas messages to Manchester Foundation Trust Charity's video include: Manchester United Women’s head coach Casey Stoney, actor Chris Bisson, musician and DJ Clint Boon, Manchester City Women’s head coach Gareth Taylor, street dancer George Sampson, sports presenter Hugh Ferris, actor Ian Puleston-Davies, actors Jason Done and Joe Gill, England cricket captain Joe Root and vice-captain Jos Buttler, singers Max and Harvey, Strictly Come Dancing contestant and singer Max George, sports commentator and former cricketer Michael Vaughan, radio DJ Mike Toolan, children's TV presenter Olivia Birchenough, Good Morning Britain presenters Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid, actress Sarah Jayne Dunn, actor Simon Gregson, comedian Tom Davis and Manchester-based poet Tony Walsh.

The video is being shared today (Wednesday, 23rd December) across the Charity’s social media channels and on internal emails to the staff, who are all being encouraged to enjoy the messages and share the video with their colleagues and friends.

Tanya Hamid, Interim Director of Charity at Manchester Foundation Trust Charity, said: "The Charities team, like many of us across the North West and beyond, appreciate just how hard our colleagues in the Trust have worked this year, and every year.

"It felt only right that we called upon our patrons and celebrity supporters to help us wish them a Merry Christmas as a thank you for all their efforts during the Covid pandemic.

"We hope that this special video will bring a few smiles to our colleagues during the festive period and lets them know how truly appreciative the whole nation is of their wonderful contributions in 2020."

If you'd like to support the hospitals in Manchester Foundation Trust's family, there is still time to make a Christmas donation. Visit www.mftcharitychristmas.org.uk to make a donation and view the video.

This website enables you to make a donation to any of the NHS Manchester hospitals in the Charity’s family: Manchester Royal Infirmary, Wythenshawe Hospital, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Manchester University Dental Hospital, Withington Community Hospital, Trafford General Hospital and Altrincham Hospital.