Sponsors revealed as renowned football commentator voices support for awards celebrating NHS staff

A renowned football commentator who faced losing his voice has thrown his support behind an event celebrating the dedication of NHS staff.

Martin Tyler underwent two operations at St George’s Hospital in South West London and a course of speech therapy which saved his 50-year long career. Now 79, Tyler is back at work and on prime-time TV entertaining football fans with his punditry during matches.

Martin said: “Without the dedicated teams at St George’s I would have lost my voice for good. I am so grateful for everything they have done. The care I received was exemplary and shows how valuable the NHS is to us all.”

The gesh CARE awards, a celebration of NHS staff at St George’s, Epsom and St Helier Hospitals, have been made possible by the generous support of the Pelican London Hotel & Residence in Tooting, which is part of the Yellow Brick Group. Their CEO and Chairman, Johnathan Kol-Bar, is deeply committed to supporting the NHS.

Johnathan said: “We are delighted to be Headline Sponsors of the gesh CARE awards 2024. Located within the grounds of St George’s Hospital, we consider ourselves to be part of the wider hospital community. We feel passionately about thanking the hard-working NHS staff who consistently demonstrate commitment and dedication in caring for their patients.”

Blue background with coloured swirls and reads 'gesh CARE awards'

“My late mother was shown incredible kindness and respect as an evacuee during the holocaust in the Second World War in Europe, and it is these same qualities I see demonstrated across the hospitals. I support these awards in her memory and look forward to hearing the inspiring and uplifting stories of our NHS staff celebrated on the night.”

Almost 500 nominations have been received for this year’s gesh CARE awards, including more than 100 suggestions from patients, their families and carers to nominate a team or individual to who has gone above and beyond to win the ‘Outstanding CARE of the Year Award.’

The awards are open to all 17,000 members of staff working for the Group’s community and hospitals – from frontline clinicians to essential support teams, porters, cleaners and caterers The winners will be announced at a gala event on 10 December celebrating achievements linked to the Group’s five-year CARE strategy to care for local people and keep them well.

The event will be hosted by TV and radio presenter Myleene Klass.

Myleene Klass wear a black and white striped top

Additional sponsors include Hanevo and Keystream Group, who have sponsored award categories celebrating innovation in NHS treatments, value for money and the care of long-term health conditions.

The gesh CARE awards has also been proudly sponsored by the St George’s Hospital Charity and Epsom & St Helier Hospitals Charity, which provide extra support to our hospitals, over and above what the NHS can deliver on its own- including funding state-of-the-art equipment, refurbishing hospitals and community services facilities and supporting staff health and wellbeing events.

For further information on the gesh CARE awards, please click here.