MEDICS from Hereford County Hospital have sent these pictures to the Hereford Times with a simple plea.

Teams in the accident and emergency department and on the clinical care unit said their message to readers is: "Please stay at home for us and protect us so we can look after you."

"We just want to send the important message of keeping the whole of Herefordshire safe."

The Hereford Times is inviting readers to join our special thank-you to people like these on the front line of the fight against coronavirus in Herefordshire.

While the majority of us are confined to our homes, these heroes are risking their own health and wellbeing and putting people like you and I first.

Local newspapers in the Newsquest Media Group, publisher of the Hereford Times, are joining together to raise money for NHS Charities Together and its urgent Covid-19 appeal.

Donations will be used for wellbeing packs and gifts for staff, food deliveries and refreshments, covering the cost of travel and accommodation and other items which enhance the wellbeing of NHS staff and volunteers.

At this time of hardship, it is important for us, the people of Herefordshire, to bring some joy and happiness to those who are giving us so much.

Nationally, we have seen community spirit thriving in these difficult times, with people supporting each other like never before.

So we are asking our readers to extend this support to the heroes of the NHS, to let them know we care and are thankful for everything they are doing for us.

Please donate whatever you can, and let us give a collective, united message to our NHS workers of our huge appreciation for their efforts.

It is easy to contribute. Just click here.

You can get involved and support our campaign by sharing our appeal and telling us why you are thankful for the NHS by using the hashtag #ThankYouNHS on social media, adding the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-our-nhs-guardian-angels.

Send us a picture of yourself holding up a piece of paper reading #ThankYouNHS, some of which we will print in the paper. Our email address is news@herefordtimes.com. You can also message us on Facebook @herefordtimes.

Let us show our NHS staff that we care, and that we are thankful for everything they are doing for us all during this crisis.