Two Biomedical Scientists who work at Maidstone Hospital are among the NHS heroes who appear in a calendar which has been produced by a nine-year-old girl to help raise money for charity.

Inspired by the courage and resilience of the National Health Service (NHS), Ruby Herbert enlisted the help of friends and family who are talented artists, to donate a drawing or painting dedicated to a department within the NHS to include in the calendar which is raising money for NHS Charities Together.

At the back of the calendar it features pictures of NHS workers and a short write up about why they love their job. Among the faces are Carly Moore, and Claire Roper who both work as Biomedical Scientists for MTW NHS Trust.

Carly, who works in the Blood Transfusion Department, said: “I am good friends with Ruby’s mum Julia so when she contacted me about the calendar and asked if I would like to feature in it was an easy decision to make. The NHS is so important to me both professionally and personally and to see Ruby, and others, acknowledging that importance makes such a difference, especially at times like this. The calendar is such a fantastic idea and the artists involved deserve a special mention, each and every one is very special.”

Claire, who also knows Ruby’s mum, said: “I am honoured to play a small part in Ruby’s fantastic fund raising calendar.

“I am proud to be a part of the NHS in my role as a Senior Biomedical Scientist in the Haematology Department of Maidstone Hospital. The fantastic artwork included in this calendar celebrates the diversity of departments and roles which make up our NHS.”

A number of the calendars were donated to MTW NHS Trust so they could be passed on to some of the staff as a token of appreciation for all their hard work during the pandemic.

Speaking about why she produced the calendar Ruby, from Rochester, said: “I wanted to do more than just clap on a Thursday night; I wanted to make a calendar to raise money for the NHS.”

The youngster is no stranger to raising money for great causes though.

Mum Julia said: “When she was three, Ruby wanted to help our forces heroes so we produced a calendar using pictures painted by her using her fingers, hands and feet. Ruby produced two calendars in 2015 and 2016 and collectively raised £5,000 for Help for Heroes.

“Ruby asked me if she could repeat this and raise money for NHS Charities Together so you can imagine how my heart burst when she asked.

“Making the calendar is our way of celebrating and thanking the NHS, and every single person who works for this national treasure, for looking after all of us every day whenever we need them. It’s also a reminder for people throughout the year that our NHS is brilliant and the people who work for it are amazing.”

Ruby set herself a target of raising £3,500 but she has already exceeded that amount by raising more than £6,000! A small percentage of the proceeds will also be donated to Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance. CSP Ltd, based in Aylseford, agreed to cover the printing costs so that every penny raised through the sale of the calendars can go to the two charities.

To buy a copy of the calendar, which costs £7 each, visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JuliaSlade2