Our beloved NHS staff fighting the war against COVID19 put their lives and those of their families literally on the (front) line for us. We are so proud of their dedication and selflessness and the emergency Nightingale hospitals springing up across the nation a wonderful tribute to Florence.

But equally venerated in her lifetime, and mostly overlooked today was Mary Seacole, who nursed injured British soldiers during the Crimean War. Born in Kingston, Jamaica in1805, she was the daughter of a Scottish officer in the British army. Her mother was Jamaican lady. Black History Month always place her as one of the great national figures - this other 'Lady of the Lamp'.

Of the 1.2 million workers in the NHS (March 2019 figure)  1 out of 5 originate from the Commonwealth or other BAME roots.

In her memory and to those we see today caring for us at a time of huge National Crisis we should have at least one 'Seacole' hospital dedicated to these selfless 'heroes'. This statue of Mary stands opposite to the H9uses of Parliament fittingly in St Thomas's Hospital. 

And after the war is won and we return to something like normality, clapping will not be enough. They and their key worker colleagues who are paid so poorly compared to sports, entertainment stars, bankers and others, richly deserve the nation's thanks and to repay the huge debt we owe them. They should be better paid, valued and housed in decent homes they can afford.  

We are www.Zedgeneration.uk/ we pledge our support to all key workers. For no matter where we came from, what colour we are, we go forward as one Nation.