Pandemic profs Chris Whitty and Jonathan Van-Tam have become heroes to youngsters.
Sir Chris’s calm authority and Sir Jonathan’s colourful football comparisons during Covid updates on TV have won them many fans, says a survey.
The marvellous medics are high in a list of heroes, topped by campaigning footballer Marcus Rashford and the Queen. The pandemic has transformed young people’s career hopes, with more than a quarter, inspired by Chris and Jonathan, likely to consider a health job.
England’s chief medical officer Chris and his deputy Jonathan were more popular than the likes of tennis ace Emma Raducanu and Prince William.
The St John Ambulance survey of 1,000 11 to 18-year-olds found almost half were influenced by images of NHS staff and volunteers saving lives and helping people in the pandemic.
Now half are speaking to their teachers about which subjects to study to enter the profession. St John Ambulance’s Martin Houghton-Brown said: “These results fill me with optimism and pride.”
The top 10 children's heroes are:
1. Marcus Rashford, 30%.
2. The Queen, 28%.
3. Chris Whitty, 16%.
4. Duchess of Cambridge, 15%.
5. Jonathan Van-Tam, 14%.
6. Duke of Cambridge, 13%.
7. Harry Kane, 12%.
8. Emma Raducanu, 12%.
9. Sir Patrick Vallance, 11%.
10. David Beckham, 10%.
