'Thank you is not enough' - Sunderland pays tribute to health heroes on International Nurses Day

Wednesday, May 12 is International Nurses Day – and now, more than ever, we are so grateful for their incredible care and work after such a challenging year.

Sunderland Echo readers have been sharing their messages and stories for our nurses.

Here is how you have paid tribute on the Echo’s Facebook page:

Caroline Rose: “We cannot thank the nurses on The Phoenix Unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital for all the care, love and support they gave to my 18-year-old daughter Elena Gee recently when she was battling Stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She is now in remission. Eternal thanks to all you nurses.”

Kathleen Rodgers: “To all the team on ward E52 who have being fantastic through Covid and always.”

Jackie Lister: “Thank you is not enough for all you have done during the pandemic, but please know we are truly grateful to each and every one of the health teams, doctors, nurses, care assistants, cleaners, for doing their jobs under such difficult conditions. You are truly heroes one and all, thank you.”

Anne Bingham: “I would love to tell my daughter how proud I am. She is a student nurse who is in her second year.

"She went into the hospital when they needed help, caught Covid and was really ill but still went back to help and has continued her studies as well as bringing up her son on her own.”

Maureen Mcdonough: “I'm so proud of my daughter Cherelle, she’s one brilliant staff nurse and a mam bringing her children up so I take my hat off to her, so proud.”

Laura Jenkinson: “My sister Aimee is a nurse. Works tirelessly, has nursed on the Covid wards and had Covid herself.

"During this whole pandemic I haven’t heard her moan once, she always just says nursing is what I do. So proud of her.”

Hayley Cook: “Annette Cook, the most amazing and compassionate nurse I know who goes above and beyond every day, so very proud of you.”

Sheila Davison: “So proud of our daughter Julia Parrish. For everything you have done during the last 18 months, thank you.”

Sarah Westoe: “So proud of my niece Olivia Westoe, she’s just qualified and starts A&E next week. She’s worked through the Covid, well done darling so proud of you.”

Ailsa Kirkpatrick: “Thank you for all that you do in your jobs Rachel Cowley and Louise McNish. Keep up the fab work you’re doing.”

Joan Redford: “Edith Antcliffe and Nicki Brown, so proud of you and all our nurses.”

Carly Mckenna: “Naiomi Morron I'm massively proud of you. You've worked so hard to get where you are. Love you.”

Gwen Palmer: “Suzanne Jones, I’m very proud of you, you've achieved so much. Worked your way up to become senior community nurse. Looking after all your patients and reassuring them through the coronovirus pandemic.”

Donna Brennan: “Not just one but every single nurse, past and present, who I have had the pleasure of working with. We have had a rough year facing situations we could never have imagined but we got through it.”

Sue Allison: “Worth their weight in gold.”

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