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Thousands march to save A&E in press campaign

The Camden New Journal and Islington Tribune helped organise a large-scale march through its patch as part of a campaign to save a local accident and emergency unit.

The paper has also enlisted the help of local celebrities, talked to patients and handed out posters as part of the battle to save the department at Whittington Hospital.

The proposals are to downgrade the site meaning patients needing A&E services would have to travel to hospitals in either Hampstead of Euston, both of which are about four miles from Whittington.

Around 5,000 people turned out for the two-mile march from Highbury Corner to the hospital which was led by an open top bus and two bands.

Rival newspapers from the patch were also invited to travel on the bus to take vantage photos as the campaign was the most important thing, said deputy editor Richard Osley.

“The decision is a few weeks away so hopefully we can change people’s minds on it,” he told HTFP.

“There was a really good public display of the emotion out there. I’ve been here eight years and I’ve not seen a march like in this area.

“They had a makeshift stage where the MPs gave their speeches – it was just an amazing day really.”

He added that they even let other rival papers from the area ride on the bus to take photos as the campaign was the most important thing.

  • Richard aboard the battle bus at the march