NHS campaigner James Corbett was greeted by supporters in his home city of Chester just over half way through a 400-mile walk to protest ‘creeping privatisation’ in the health service.

James, 43, originally from Hoole but living in Ellesmere Port , is marching alone all the way from Glasgow Children’s Hospital to the Houses of Parliament in London.

He is asking people to sign his petition which calls on all politicians to keep the NHS free at the point of need.

James, a qualified English teacher and volunteer, told CheshireLive: “I’ve not finished and hopefully I will get there. It’s to protect the NHS. A lot of people are worried about it at the moment and I wanted to get out there and show that somebody does care and is willing to actively do something about it.

NHS campaigner James Corbett, from Hoole, is backed by his nephew Liam Rutter and wife Lydia with their children Mylea, seven, and Finlay, six, along with Georgia Bailiff and Josh Banks.

“This is what I feel is happening, the slow and incremental privatisation, there’s loads of info online, you can check and sign my petition as well.

“We all know so many people who have been affected by the NHS both positively , and more recently negatively because of what’s happening so I’m just really concerned to ring-fence it and protect it for all.”

After 270 miles James has been feeling the pain , especially in his left foot, although it seems to all right at the moment.

“I chose to do this and it’s for a just cause. Today I’ve been joined by the people of Chester and that’s given strength to my legs.”

Last night (Friday, August 16) there was a gathering in James’ honour at The Golden Eagle pub, Castle Street.

After a day of rest on Saturday, he will hit the road again on Sunday when its over the border to Wrexham and beyond as he continues on his long walk to Westminster.

Details of James’ journey can be found on his Facebook page – ‘Save the NHS - Protest Walk to Parliament’ and click this link to sign his petition .

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