TheFootballBlog.co.uk

MORE THAN 200 PLAYERS PLEDGE WAGES AS MPs BACK CAMPAIGN

Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield Utd have today (Thursday) announced their support for the Mayday for Nurses campaign, with players from the first team squads donating a day’s pay for a hardship fund for nurses.

Their support, plus players from Charlton Athletic, Everton and Manchester City mean that 206 players have so far backed the campaign, launched by academic and campaigner Dr Noreena Hertz just 12 weeks ago.

Dr Hertz said:

“With just three days to go to the end of the Premiership season, it’s great to get so many more players coming on board. I’ve now got backing from almost all of the clubs in the Premiership, as well as players in the Scottish Premier league. And I hope that even more players will join in before the final whistle blows. Every player who is giving cash makes a real difference to the daily hardships nurses face.”

Off the pitch, support for the campaign is growing in the corridors of power – with MPs from the three main political parties all signing up to a Parliamentary Early Day Motion to support the campaign.

Tabled by the Labour MP and Reading fan Martin Salter, the motion has attracted the support of the Conservative and Lib Dem health spokesmen, Andrew Lansley MP and Norman Lamb MP, as well as a number of other senior MPs.

Dr Hertz added:

“Footballers have done a fantastic job in drawing attention to the difficulties being faced by nurses in the UK – but they cannot solve the long term problem. I am delighted to know that MPs are taking notice and are looking for a solution. I look forward to being able to work with them to find a way of giving nurses the recognition they deserve.”

To see if your club’s players are kind hearted, or to show some support yourself then please visit the website: http://www.maydayfornurses.co.uk/. So far there are only four clubs with NO players signing up, they are: Chelsea, Liverpool, Middlesbrough and Newcastle.

Have a watch of the video and get involved.