'SO LUCKY'
A BAFTA-WINNING Syrian refugee who volunteered to work as a cleaner disinfecting coronavirus-hit wards at an NHS hospital fought back tears as he spoke on Good Morning Britain today.
Hassan Akkad, 32, a Bafta-winning photographer and filmmaker who lives in London, became emotional as he spoke to Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid about joining the NHS "army of cleaners".
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Yesterday, Hassan posted a photo of himself on Twitter in his cleaners' protective kit say it is "the least I can do".
When the pandemic broke last month he rushed to volunteer at his local hospital, St Bartholomew’s.
He has been disinfecting Covid-19 wards for a week and told Piers and Susanna it is "a badge of honour to be able to be on the frontline and help during this difficult time".
Hassan told GMB: "England has been home for me for the past four years. The people of this country have welcomed me with an open arm.
"Since the pandemic hit Britain I couldn't sleep I was thinking about it the whole time, I was desperate to help.
"It's literally an honour to be able to be in a position where I can look after the patients who are technically my neighbours."
'KARMA' PLEA
Hassan became choked as he opened up to the GMB hosts about his family from Syria, and fellow refugees in camps as the virus ravages the globe.
He said he hoped "karma" would protect his own relatives as he puts himself in harms way to protect people in the UK.
Hassan added: "I haven't seen my family in a long time. Social distancing has been my lifetime for years now. I am constantly thinking of my parents, my nana and my uncles who are all over 70.
"This is obviously something that could affect them. But the way I think about it is hopefully karma will be good for me.
It's literally an honour to be able to be in a position where I can look after the patients who are technically my neighbour
Hassan Akkad
"I am looking after people here I am trying really hard to clean these wards so I can protect people so hopefully someone will protect and look after my family as well."
He paid tribute to his fellow NHS staff, who are "the spine of the hospital and they are from everywhere".
Hassan added: "I hope if this teaches us one thing it teaches us to be kinder to each other despite where we come from. I hope this changes us for the best."
Piers and Susanna hailed his bravery and thanked him for his work on the NHS frontline.
Piers said: "Hassan, it must be unbearable for you. We can see the emotion you are showing. It's very understandable. I'm so sorry you have this family somewhere where they can't have the NHS.
"Its something we take for granted sometimes. But my god, we are so lucky to have it here."
Viewers paid tribute to Hassan after his GMB appearance this morning.
One said: "Another hero, this man taken on a a cleaner disinfecting covid19 wards. A Syrian refugee and so humble to be able to contribute in some small way to this country.
"Thank you again. Very emotional being apart from his family."
Another wrote: "Thank you we are lucky to have people like you in the UK."
And another said: "wow just watched your interview on GMB with Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid".
"THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING."
'LEAST I CAN DO'
Syrian born Hassan fled to England in 2015, having previously been imprisoned and tortured under the Assad regime.
He joined a 750,000-strong army of NHS volunteers fighting the covid-19 bug.
Tweeting a photo of himself in his new uniform, Hassan wrote: "Honoured to join an army of cleaners disinfecting Covid wards our local hospital after receiving training.
"London has been my home since leaving Syria, and the least I can do is making sure my neighbours and the amazing NHS staff are safe and sound. #StayHomeSaveLives."
Hassan's post has received over 60,000 likes and more than 7,000 shares online.
And thankful Brits were quick to comment their support.
One person wrote: "Your work is skilled, difficult and all too often undervalued.
"We simply couldn't function without you. Thank you, Hassan. Stay safe."
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"Thank you for your dedication. Top man!!"
Hassan was born in Damascus in 1990, becoming a secondary school English teacher when he was just 19.
He took part in the first anti-government protests in 2011 and was imprisoned twice, where he was tortured and had both wrists and a leg broken.
He joined an army of 750,000 NHS volunteers who reported for coronavirus duty to help the 2.5million people most at risk during the pandemic.
The “National Help Service” will be helping those forced to self-isolate in Britain during the coronavirus outbreak.
Tasks will include delivering vital prescriptions, driving patients to key medical appointments and having chats with lonely folk.
Officials had initially planned to recruit 250,000 healthy helpers after launching the scheme to assist 1.4million Brits forced to self-isolate.
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But after being overwhelmed by demand, 750,000 were recruited to assist 2.5million people at highest risk from coronavirus.
It comes as 786 coronavirus deaths were recorded in the UK on Tuesday evening - bringing the total past 6,000 on the deadliest day so far.
Positive cases have risen to 55,242 from 51,608 yesterday.
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