On Thursday night at 8pm, my family and I, six adults, all walked to the end of our lane and, along with millions of others, banged our pans in thanks to the wonderful people of the NHS.

I live in a rural location in a small village in North Yorkshire, but felt it important that we showed our gratitude and support. It turned out that many others in the village thought the same: from one end to the other horns and claxons sounded and the singing of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ could be heard.

It took some time, later that evening, for the significance of this outpouring to register with me. It brought home to me that we are a nation of predominantly good, caring people that stand up to be counted when the going gets tough. This unswerving spirit has always come to the fore during major world events that we have faced in the recent and distant past. The current Coronavirus, Covid-19 pandemic is another ordeal we have to face and defeat.

There can be no greater sacrifice than to put your life at risk for the benefit and wellbeing of others. This is what the selfless souls that work in the NHS are doing on a daily basis and I salute them.

Let’s help to support those in the NHS that save lives every day, by doing what we can to ease their burden. We need to listen to the advice we are given, protect the wonderful people of the NHS and we will get through this together.

Jason McGill,

Chairman,

York City Football Club,

Bootham Crescent, York

Time now to ditch our unelected bureaucrats

In this time of need for the nation to come together as one to fight this pandemic, one thing has become obvious: the House of Lords is a completely unnecessary and defunct institution that has no place in the modern world.

As it would seem our elected politicians are unwilling to debate - let alone vote on - getting rid of this needless drain on public funds, I think the only answer is to hold a national referendum. We’ve got rid of the unelected bureaucrats in Europe. Now is the time to get rid of our own in Westminster.

Gordon Hill,

Anne Street, Copmanthorpe

Premier League stars should accept a pay cut

The majority of Premier League footballers are hugely overpaid.

By each volunteering a £10,000 a week pay cut, it would not see them on the bread line, but it would show they possess a conscience.

Peter Rickaby,

West Park, Selby