SIR Andy Murray has sent a heartfelt message to NHS staff for their heroic work during the coronavirus crisis.
The two-time Wimbledon champ also donated a substantial sum to Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge, where he attended as part of his recovery from is recurrent hip injury.
In a video message the 32-year-old thanked nurses and doctors for their “dedication and sacrifice” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said: “Just want to say a big thanks for all of your hard work, dedication and the sacrifices that you’re making at this time for all of us.
“It’s obviously an extremely difficult time for everyone but none more so than the healthcare workers.
“Everyone there was fantastic and extremely helpful. I have made a donation to the charity to say thank you very much for everything that you’re doing.”
A spokesperson for Addenbrooke’s charitable trust added: “Like Sir Andy, we are in awe of the Addenbrooke’s staff who are working every day to save patients in impossible circumstances.
“We’d like to thank him very much on behalf of our NHS heroes for his kind donation to Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust.”
The Scots tennis ace also joined forces with wife Kim Sears as the pair showed off their volleying skills in the back garden.
The couple invited sports fans across the globe to take part in their new challenge, which involved them hitting the ball back and forward to each other 100 times.
Murray called on the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic to have a go at the viral stunt.
He tweeted: “A challenge to all tennis players and fans... the 100 volley challenge.
“There was no bickering during the filming of the video, although I think the last volley was aimed at my head.
“I can't be the only one that wants to see Rog and Mirka hitting a few balls together.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here