YOUR St Helens Star is teaming up with Whiston and St Helens Hospitals for a special poetry competition celebrating the 70th birthday of the NHS.

We are looking for you to send us your verses about the National health Service – so think about what the NHS means to you, perhaps how it has cared for you or your family.

You could write about your local hospital, use it as an opportunity to say thank you to the staff or simply wish this wonderful organisation a happy birthday.

Poems can be any length and there will be age categories, including two for children.

St Helens Star editor Andrew Kilmurray and St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive Ann Marr will be among the judges for the competition.

Winning entries will be published in the Star, the Trust’s staff magazine and on both websites.

Ann said: “We are very excited about the forthcoming 70th birthday celebrations and are delighted to be teaming up with the St Helens Star for this special poetry competition.

“I know from the many letters I receive how proud people are of their local hospitals, our incredible staff and the wider NHS and look forward to reading the poems.”

Andrew said: “We know the NHS means so much to our readers and that these hospitals play a huge part in people’s lives.

“They can the scene of deeply sad events but also moments of joy and inspiration.

“And for many of us the NHS can keep our world turning.

“So sit back and try to put your emotions into words. We look forward to reading them and celebrating the 70th anniversary.”

There are three age categories:

  • 10 and under
  • 11-17
  • 18 and over

The deadline for entries is June 21, with the winning poems announced and published in the St Helens Star on Thursday July 5 – The NHS’ birthday.

Entries can be emailed to poetry@sthk.nhs.uk or posted to Communications Department , Whiston Hospital, Warrington Rd, Prescot L35 5DR remember to include your name, age and contact details.

Prizes will be awarded for category winners.