Mothers march for the NHS

UNISON members with the 999 call for the NHS banner

Health campaigners set off from the North East at the weekend on a march to London to “serve notice to every politician that voted to destroy our NHS”.

The march, which echoes the Jarrow Crusade hunger march of 1936, inolves UNISON members and is supported by the union.

Organised by a group of mothers from Darlington, it left Jarrow on Saturday and will arrive in London on 6 September. By then, the marchers will have walked 300 miles, through 23 towns and cities, all the way to Parliament.

They were seen off by thousands of supporters on their first leg to Chester-le-Street.

UNISON branches and members can join the march, or just show their support, as it passes through their area – and if you’re not the route, donations are welcome.

Just check out the 999 Call for the NHS website for details of how you can support the marchers. As the website says: “If like us, you want your voice to be heard, if you are tired of silently watching our health service be dismantled and undermined, then take up the 999 Call for the NHS and join us”.

Audioboo: Listen to Marion Langley of UNISON South Tyneside healthcare branch explain why the march is important for the NHS

999 Call for the NHS website

People’s march for the NHS page 

Open letter to all NHS staff – signed by UNISON head of health Christina McAnea

UNISON in healthcare

UNSION Northern region

UNISON fighting cuts and privatisation in the NHS