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From Krish Kandiah, founding director of a national charity:

When I visited schools in Haiti following the catastrophic earthquakes of 2010, I was very moved talking with the children about their hopes and dreams. The answers of three particular 8-year-olds surprised me: one wanted to be a soldier after the army had helped pull his family out of the rubble, the second wanted to be a nurse as so many Haitians still needed medical attention. The last one said she wanted to be a gynaecologist!  I am pretty sure I didn’t know what one of those was until I was in my twenties!

I was reminded of this last Thursday night when my family joined our street in applauding our wonderful NHS workers. Movie stars, fashion gurus and sport stars are no longer the central focus of public attention but rather our health workers, along with scientists, good neighbours, supermarket staff and delivery drivers. Who we see as a hero has taken a radical reboot over the past weeks.

This change reminds me of something Jesus said that has always inspired me:

‘Whoever wants to become great among you must be a servant… For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’

One of the things I appreciate most about Jesus was how he modelled great leadership– putting the needs of others before his own. He led through service rather than showiness. He laid down his life so that others might live.

How wonderful that this same spirit is now clearly at work. It is in all of us sacrificing our freedom and locking down to protect our communities. And it is in those frontline NHS staff, social workers, emergency responders, teachers, carers, power workers, and broadband service providers who are quietly getting on with their jobs of keeping us safe. None of their faces are likely to feature on posters on children’s bedroom walls, or sticker albums but their heroic service will have a knock-on effect on a whole generation growing up.

 I once asked my eight-year-old what she wanted to be when she grew up - she said nine! I am hoping one day she might include in her ambitions a desire to serve those in need. In the meantime lets continue to show our appreciation for our new breed of heroes.