They work tirelessly day in, day out to care for you and save lives - so take a few moments to thank these heroic frontline workers at Ipswich and Colchester hospitals on International Nurses Day.

East Anglian Daily Times: Lyndsey Walker, paediatric oncology nurse at Ipswich Hospital. Picture: WARREN PAGE/PAGEPIXLyndsey Walker, paediatric oncology nurse at Ipswich Hospital. Picture: WARREN PAGE/PAGEPIX (Image: Pagepix Ltd.07976 935738)

As growing numbers have fallen ill during the coronavirus pandemic, these workers for the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) - which runs the two hospitals - have put themselves at risk to help others.

Yet they’ve been saving lives long before Covid-19 struck - in children’s wards, A&E departments, operating theatres and in the community.

East Anglian Daily Times: Sarah Sands, matron at Colchester Hospital. Picture: STEVE BRADINGSarah Sands, matron at Colchester Hospital. Picture: STEVE BRADING (Image: STEVE BRADING PHOTOGRAPHY)

Much of their work is behind the scenes, out of view - but has been brought into even sharper focus by the Covid-19 crisis.

East Anglian Daily Times: Matron for cardiorespiratory and stroke, Darren Evans, with chief nurse Melissa Dowdeswell and medicine matron Tasha Machell. Picture: EAST SUFFOLK AND NORTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUSTMatron for cardiorespiratory and stroke, Darren Evans, with chief nurse Melissa Dowdeswell and medicine matron Tasha Machell. Picture: EAST SUFFOLK AND NORTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (Image: Archant)

Lisa Nobes, chief nurse for NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk, NHS West Suffolk and NHS North East Essex clinical commissioning groups, said: “There’s no doubt that during this time of coranvirus we value their work even more and thank them for everything they are doing.

“This is a difficult time for many, but it is cheering that there is so much community spirit present, with people looking out for each other.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Nurse Luigi Giacintucci, who works at Colchester Hospital. Pictire: WARREN PAGE/PAGEPIXNurse Luigi Giacintucci, who works at Colchester Hospital. Pictire: WARREN PAGE/PAGEPIX (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

? Do you know a nurse who would like to thank and praise on International Nurses Day? Email head of news Andrew Papworth and we will include it in our next NHS community heroes round-up.

East Anglian Daily Times: Karen Moss, Neonatal Unit sister at Colchester Hospital. Picture: EAST SUFFOLK AND NORTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUSTKaren Moss, Neonatal Unit sister at Colchester Hospital. Picture: EAST SUFFOLK AND NORTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Tim Cardew, emergency department nurse at Ipswich Hospital. Picture: EAST SUFFOLK AND NORTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUSTTim Cardew, emergency department nurse at Ipswich Hospital. Picture: EAST SUFFOLK AND NORTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Diane Coe, Shotley Ward sister at Ipswich Hospital. Picture: EAST SUFFOLK AND NORTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUSTDiane Coe, Shotley Ward sister at Ipswich Hospital. Picture: EAST SUFFOLK AND NORTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Sue Brixey, Saxmundham Ward sister at Ipswich Hospital. Picture: STEVE BRADINGSue Brixey, Saxmundham Ward sister at Ipswich Hospital. Picture: STEVE BRADING (Image: STEVE BRADING PHOTOGRAPHY)

East Anglian Daily Times: Lisa Morley, Great Tey ward sister at Colchester Hospital. Picture: WARREN PAGE/PAGEPIXLisa Morley, Great Tey ward sister at Colchester Hospital. Picture: WARREN PAGE/PAGEPIX (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

East Anglian Daily Times: Louie Horne, Muscular Skeletal (MSK) Surgery Division matron at Ipswich Hospital. Picture: WARREN PAGE/PAGEPIXLouie Horne, Muscular Skeletal (MSK) Surgery Division matron at Ipswich Hospital. Picture: WARREN PAGE/PAGEPIX (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

East Anglian Daily Times: Community modern matrons Tisha Morelos, Teresa Walls and Michelle Fletcher. Picture: EAST SUFFOLK AND NORTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUSTCommunity modern matrons Tisha Morelos, Teresa Walls and Michelle Fletcher. Picture: EAST SUFFOLK AND NORTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Barry Gibson, north-west Suffolk integrated neighbourhood team manager. Picture: EAST SUFFOLK AND NORTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUSTBarry Gibson, north-west Suffolk integrated neighbourhood team manager. Picture: EAST SUFFOLK AND NORTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Clare Allen, children�'s respiratory nurse at Ipswich Hospital. Picture: STEVE BRADINGClare Allen, children�'s respiratory nurse at Ipswich Hospital. Picture: STEVE BRADING (Image: STEVE BRADING PHOTOGRAPHY)