AHEAD of the NHS’s 70th birthday – which we celebrate today, Thursday, July 5 – we called on readers to send in poems about this wonderful institution.

The competition – run by the Star along with St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust – received more than 150 entries in three age categories under 10s, 11-17 and 18 plus.

Earlier today we published the poem by under 11s winner Poppy Disbury age 8.

Here are the next two poems from 12-17 winner Joshua Dunn from Halewood and over 18s winner Helen Williams from Eccleston Park.

IN a huge competition of more than 150 entrants, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. But with his poem, 12-year-old Joshua Dunn from Halewood impressed the judges who loved the final sentiment of the entire nation saying thank you to the NHS for their hard work.

Oh beautiful, beautiful NHS

OH beautiful, beautiful NHS,

You work so hard, do you even rest?

Many of my family wouldn’t be here,

To spread love and lots of cheer.

You’re always helping us out,

So we can trust you without a doubt.

Tons and tons of patients a year,

I wonder what it would be like without you here.

70 years of hard work and dedication,

So thank you from me and the whole nation.

The Halewood Academy pupil won the 12-17 category after taking part alongside 14 of his creative writing classmates. His proud English teacher Lauren Archer said: “It’s fantastic that Joshua won the competition because it is a huge achievement for someone so young to win such a difficult category. “I think it speaks volumes about his creativity. Well done Joshua.”

Our next winner is mum-of-three Helen Williams who was inspired by her time living in the US which made her realise how much “we all take the NHS for granted”.

Helen Williams, from Eccleston Park, impressed judges with her poem praising all the staff that work within the NHS and its achievements since its birth in 1948.

Nye Bevans Baby is 3 scores years and ten

Would we recognise it, if we saw it then?

From 1948, a whole lifetime has passed

Through governments and politics, it’s loyalty steadfast.

Technology and expectations, accelerated with pace

But the same dedication, with a compassionate face

Giving hope where it can and saving lives every day

Top of the list for funding, if I had my say.

It’s a baby that never sleeps, always an open door

24/7 care, could we ask for more?

It gets praise and criticism - given in equal measure

Yes the NHS, that’s our National Treasure.

What is this constitution, that we all love so dear?

It’s the people who work within it, to me that’s very clear;

It has leaders, managers, analysts and planners

Porters, cleaners, psychologists and scanners

Administrators, specialists, midwives, nurses galore

Consultants, doctors and accountants and yes many more,

Its therapists, matrons, and those who can scope

If I’ve missed your profession, you’ll forgive me - I hope.

It’s not just the hospitals, I am talking about today,

But services in the community and the crucial part they play.

The GPs at the front door, the clinics and the ‘walk -in

Paramedics and district nurses, that’s what I’m a ‘talkin…

Despite it’s successes, the media love a ‘pop’,

Missed targets, DTOCS, I guess they’ll never stop.

Yes - it has its challenges, A&E and lack of cash

Those 4 hour targets, which hopefully we’ll smash

But it carries on regardless, missed lunches and sore feet

Reports, documentation and more patients’ needs to meet.

But to enable it to go on, so we must play our part…

Take care of your own body, your liver and your heart!

Eat less sugar and fat, those extra pounds to lose,

Exercise, quit the fags and yea - keep off the booze!

For we are all living longer, it’s fabulous, I know

But we are getting multiple conditions, and to A&E we show.

But today we celebrate, a moment we must take

Blow out the candles and have a slice of cake

For the NHS is 70, a lifetime of demand

The world is green with envy, of what we have in this land.

Always there for us, when we need you most,

To all who work within it, to you a champagne toast.

Commenting on her win, the 52-year-old, who works with St Helens Cares, said: “Having lived in the US for years I’ve seen what it’s like living without the NHS.

“Having to pay $50 to get antibiotics for my boys and wait until they are more poorly to get them was horrible, so I know how important the NHS is and that we all take it for granted because we are so lucky to have it for so long.

“There’s often mixed messages in the press about the NHS being criticised or praised, but what is constant is the people on the ground who always keep on working hard and I wanted to show that.

“I was so shocked when I was told that I won, I wasn’t feeling well when I got the phone call and it really cheered me up.

“My oldest son even congratulated me with a bunch of flowers.

“I have written poems for family and friends before but nothing like this. I did one in work as a newsletter and that’s when I got told to apply for this. I’m glad I did, so I would encourage anyone to get involved in doing something creative.”

Entries were judged by: Ann Marr, chief executive, St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Ann Rimmer, preceptorship coordinator; Anne Molton, therapy manager; Sarah Jones, specialist midwife and Kelsey Maxwell from the St Helens Star.