THOUSANDS of supporters have joined the People’s March for the NHS from Jarrow to London, according to organisers.

Eighteen days after 50 marchers, led by a dozen mothers from Darlington, set off from Jarrow - following the historic route of the 1936 Jarrow Crusade hunger marchers – they have reached Bedfordshire and are on the closing stages of their marathon walk.

Rehana Azam, who co-founded the #darlomums group with friend Joanna Adams, to protest at the increasing privatisation of the NHS, said: “We have had thousands joining the march on our way.

"The crowds were particularly large in Leeds, Sheffield, Wakefield and Nottingham.

"We have had so much support from so many people and have helped to put Darlington on the map.”

Around 30 of the marchers will have completed 300 miles when they reach the capital.

Mrs Azam, a GMB union officer for health, said the marchers were thrilled singer-songwriter Billy Bragg had agreed to play at the planned rally in Trafalgar Square, when the marchers reach London on Saturday, September 6.

Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham last night spoke at a reception for the marchers in Bedford.

He told them what they are doing is “incredible.”

Veteran film-maker Ken Loach is due to join the march in St Albans, Hertfordshire, and Lord Robert Winston has also expressed his support for the marchers.

In a joint statement the Darlo Mums said: “The NHS was created to deliver free and equal healthcare for all, irrespective of wealth and those principles are being easily dismantled – which is why the mums believe people should be prepared to fight for it.”

For details about the march, visit 999callforNHS.org.uk