A STRIKING blue Spitfire adorned with the names of 80,000 healthcare workers will fly over Sussex on Saturday.

The fighter will soar over the county’s hospitals displaying the slogan “Thank U NHS” on its wings to raise money for NHS Charities Together.

Those who donate to the fundraiser can nominate a healthcare worker to be named on the plane.

The Spitfire’s Sussex run will begin over the Conquest Hospital in St Leonards at 11.55pm.

At noon it will fly over Bexhill Hospital and Eastbourne District General Hospital five minutes later.

The fighter will be over the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton at 12.10pm, then Worthing Hospital at 12.18pm.

Seven minutes later it will fly over Bognor War Memorial Hospital before landing at Goodwood Aerodrome at 12.30pm.

“After such positive response we decided to leave the message painted on the Spitfire for the rest of the flying season,” said John Romain, founder of organiser the Aircraft Restoration Company.

Donate at justgiving.com/fundraising/nhsspitfire.

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund