Milton Keynes father publishes tribute to his late daughter to celebrate NHS

As the nation holds the NHS close to their hearts during the coronavirus pandemic, one man has produced a book praising its tireless work.

David Ashford lost his daughter Rebekah three years ago. Born with chronic renal failure, she spent most of her life in and out of hospital.

David, from Milton Keynes, said: "She lived to be 35 but if it wasn't for the NHS she would have only lived to the age of three.

"It is so lovely to see people today celebrating our amazing NHS but I have been shouting my mouth off for 37 years.

"So I've decided to do my bit doing the present situation. Captain Tom inspired me - I just came up with the idea of the book."

Called Our Rebekah A Story Of Love From Our NHS under the pen nameMax Robinson, it does exactly what the title suggests and praises the NHS while shining a light on Rebekah's journey.

David said: "She spent most of her childhood in and out of hospital. There were good times and there were bad times but never did Rebekah stop smiling and never did our amazing NHS stop lovingly caring for her."

The book is available now from Amazon and costs £1.77. You can buy the ebook hereAnd David plans to spend the £1.24 royalties on worthy causes as part of The Sunshine Smile Crew.

The organisation already buy cards for families in hospital and they will continue to do this with the money - as well as sending retro pop hits to care homes.

"I just want to keep it simple," he added.

But be warned, avid readers - as there is a little surprise in David's book.

He's placed a typo somewhere deep in the copy - although a bit of fun, there's a serious message behind it too.

"When you read the typo, you have to stand up and smile for the NHS."