NHS Spitfire: Here is when you can see the plane fly over Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth

The NHS Spitfire, owned by the Aircraft Restoration Company, is raising money for NHS Charities Together by getting people to donate and nominate family, friends, neighbours and community heroes, who have completed acts of kindness during the Covid-19 pandemic, to have their names on the plane which will fly over hospitals and communities as a thank you.

The plane, which has an 80,000 name capacity and has ‘Thank U NHS’ emblazoned on its wings, will fly over Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham at about 3.05pm today.

Founder and managing director of Aircraft Restoration Company John Romain said: ‘The response to our initial flight over the last 8pm #clapforourcarers Thursday was incredibly humbling, with hundreds of people from the local community sharing how wonderful it was to not only see the Spitfire, but also to read the message emblazoned across its wings.

‘After such positive response we decided to leave the message painted on the Spitfire for the rest of the flying season, this is where the idea to hand write the names of the nation’s loved ones onto the aircraft to raise money for the NHS Charities Together began.’

The plane, which will take off from the Goodwood Aerodome in Chichester, can also be seen over Brighton General & Royal Sussex County Hospitals at 12.10pm, Worthing Hospital at 12.18pm, St Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight at 3.10pm, Poole Hospital at 3.20pm, Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch at 3.25pm and University Hospitals Southampton at 3.32pm.

All timings are approximate.

SEE ALSO: Closure of Breast Cancer Haven in Titchfield leaves staff, volunteers and patients 'devastated'

The idea came from Spitfire funds set up during the 1940s to encourage a sense of purpose and hope in the struggle against adversity.

To nominate someone you need to donate a minimum of £10 via the campaign page at JustGiving/com/nhsspitefire, which has so far raised more than £15,600 and write their loved one’s name and reason for nomination in their donation comment.

Nominations close on Sunday, September 20, and the Spitfire will close the show at the IWM Duxford’s Battle of Britain Air Show.

For more information visit aircraftrestorationcompany.com/nhsspitfire

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.