A STOURBRIDGE man battling serious health conditions in hospital has shown his appreciation for hard-working NHS staff in a heart-wrenching video.

Inspired by the Clap for Carers moment in which people opened their doors and windows to applaud all those working on the frontline in the fight against coronavirus - Vic Bowen recorded a video from his hospital bed at Russells Hall Hospital to say a heartfelt thanks for the care he has received.

Hooked up to a breathing tube, cancer patient Mr Bowen - who has developed emphysema and fibrosis - praised the dedicated NHS staff caring for him and encouraged everyone to show their gratitude for frontline care workers by joining in with the Clap for Carers yesterday.

He said: “I’d like to thank all the staff for what they’ve done for me; they’ve worked really hard.

“It’s absolutely unbelievable what they have to go through.

"Without them we’ve got nothing and they deserve everything we can give to them.

“The staff have been like my second family. I can’t have my family visit – but they have looked after me."

He admitted to getting "a bit emotional about it" as he gave staff at the hospital a big clap and thanked all those praying for him and he added: "They’re such wonderful people, God bless them all, I love them all loads. Give them all the support. They’ve given it to me, they deserve it back."

His daughter Sonia Bowen said her dad, who turns 71 on Saturday, was diagnosed with cancer about five years ago but he had been doing well - having trialled "amazing" new drugs. However, as well as developing emphysema and fibrosis he suffered a heart attack two weeks ago. He has,however, thankfully tested negative for coronavirus.

Sonia, an actress who appeared on TV show Life on Mars, said: "He was admitted to hospital the day before the country went into lockdown.

"None of us have been able to go and see him and there have been some touch and go moments but he's a massive fighter. He's unbelievable. His courage is off the scale."