A CHILDREN'S author is helping young Southampton patients to be Covid Zero Heroes.

Leading children’s author and illustrator Nick Sharratt, has been helping young patients remind people about the importance of protecting Southampton’s Hospitals from the transmission of Covid-19 as part of the COVID ZERO campaign.

The campaign was launched by University Hospital Southampton, with the aim of wiping out transmission of COVID-19 within the hospital.

Nick created a series of posters and colouring pictures for the youngsters at Southampton Children’s Hospital to colour in.

These posters aim to highlight the importance of people continuing to regularly wash their hands, walk apart, and wear a mask during the pandemic.

The colourful creations will go on display at the children’s hospital this week to coincide with the start of a new school term as youngsters across the south prepare to return to classrooms for the first time in many months.

Nick said: “I was delighted to be able to contribute to the COVID ZERO campaign at University Hospital Southampton, and I do hope that the posters, so brilliantly coloured in by the children, will help in reminding everyone of the things they can do to keep us all safe.”

Sanjay Patel, consultant in paediatric infectious diseases, has praised the children’s creative efforts and thanked Nick for lending his support.

He said: “We are enormously grateful to Nick Sharratt for lending his time and support by designing some brilliant posters which our young patients have thoroughly enjoyed colouring in.

“This has been the perfect way to engage children on a vitally important message.

“We need everyone to do all they can to protect their local hospital, to enable us to continue to deliver much-needed care to patients and not risk being overwhelmed by Covid-19 this winter.

“It is particularly important that we remind people to remain alert and follow these simple steps as children return to schools and parents gather in playgrounds or outside school gates at home time.”

Hospitals across the county have all signed up to the COVID ZERO campaign with local businesses and the city’s MPs also backing the initiative.