Spitfire in flight over north west on Thursday as tribute to the NHS

A special tribute to the UK’s healthcare providers will be visible in the sky over the north west on Thursday afternoon – weather permitting – as an NHS tribute Spitfire descends into City of Derry airport.

The flight is one of several taking place to raise money for NHS charities and to “lift the spirits” of those still living with some form or isolation as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Members of the public are being invited to make a donation as they nominate the name of someone “who was there for your” during the crisis.

The underside of the Spitfire is painted with the words ‘THANK YOU NHS’.

Up to 80,000 names of those nominated will be hand-painted on to the blue photo-reconnaissance Spitfire which is owned by the Aircraft Restoration Company.

The iconic aircraft, having taken off from Cumbernauld in Glasgow at 3.30pm, will be flying over the Causeway Hospital at 4.07pm and Altnagelvin Hospital at 4.16pm before it landing at City of Derry airport at 4.20pm.

Flight routes will be regularly updated via the Aircraft Restoration Company Instagram and Facebook page, as well as the website www.aircraftrestorationcompany.com/nhsspitfire.

The Justgiving.com NHS Spitfire page has already raised almost £82,000.

Anyone making the minimum £10 donation is asked to state the first and last name of the person being nominated and the reason why they deserved a mention.

Names will be added to the plane throughout 2020 and beyond until all spaces are taken.