A professional boxer who has won even more world championships than Anthony Joshua has given his support to Watford General Hospital.

Watford MP Dean Russell has been friends with Filipino Nonito ‘Flash’ Donaire since he went on a charity mission in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.

Mr Russell recently spoke with Donaire about how many NHS workers at Watford General Hospital are from the Philippines, and how they make up a big part of the front line here in the UK fighting Covid-19.

Donaire, touched by this knowledge, went on to make a personal video thanking both the Filipino workers at Watford General Hospital and all other NHS staff.

He said: “My friend Dean told me about the incredible work the Filipino community and all the brave staff are doing at Watford General Hospital and across the NHS in the UK.

“So I just wanted to say thank you from both of us and God bless. You guys are our superheroes so be safe and take care.”

Mr Russell said: “All our NHS staff from abroad deserve to be celebrated and this is ever more the case as they serve on our front line. Across our NHS and care homes, so many from the Filipino community work tirelessly to support those in need. I want to take this opportunity to thank them and all the NHS community from overseas.”

There have been 23 Filipino hospital workers who have during the coronavirus pandemic, including two at Watford General Hospital.

Healthcare assistant John Alagos and nurse Ate Wilma, who were both based in Watford, have died.

It led to calls from the the Philippines’ ambassador to the UK for key workers to be “properly protected”.