Celebs rally to

champion the NHS

(27/10/07) The I love the NHS march and rally on 3 November is attracting widespread celebrity support to bolster the thousands of health workers expected to turn out on the day.Among those championing the event are explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who said: "I love the NHS because they saved me from certain death following a massive heart attack."Also, when my wife of 36 years was terminally ill with cancer, the NHS, Exeter, looked after her diligently and with expertise and patience."Tamsin Greig, star of Channel 4's award-winning medical comedy Green Wing and Black Books, said she loved the NHS because it was "a unique and invaluable organisation that puts life first. "It is a national treasure and should be valued and honoured as such," she added.On 3 November NHS staff and supporters will gather at the Embankment and march to Trafalgar Square, where there will be music, comedy and speeches. The demonstration is to celebrate the successes of the NHS, which is 60 next year, and to send a hard-hitting political message to the government that there is no place for markets and competition in our health service.It is being organised by NHS Together, an alliance of 14 health unions and organisations, including UNISON. UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: "The NHS treats over one million people every 36 hours. That is a tremendous achievement and that success is down to the dedication, professionalism and sheer hard graft of the staff who work in it."He continued: "I know that I am only alive today because of the skill and expertise of those NHS staff. I didn't have to pay for that treatment and, like millions of people every day, I am grateful for that."The NHS is worth fighting for and I believe that 3 November is a unique opportunity for health workers and patients to show their support."Remember, remember 3 November