BAFTA-winning filmmaker becomes hospital cleaner to help in coronavirus pandemic

A BAFTA-winning filmmaker has joined the NHS as a hospital cleaner in order to help in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Hassan Akkad won a BAFTA for Best Factual Series in 2017 for the three-part documentary film Exodus: Our Journey to Europe, which chronicled his journey to the UK.

The 23-year-old filmmaker revealed on Twitter that he is joining the NHS frontline in the wake of the global health emergency.

Read more: Jackie Chan tells fans to stay safe during pandemic

He said: “Honoured to join an army of cleaners disinfecting COVID wards our local hospital after receiving training.

“London has been my home since leaving Syria, and the least I can do is making sure my neighbours and the amazing NHS staff are safe and sound.”

The tweet has received almost 90,000 likes in the 48 hours since it was posted on the platform.

Akkad urged supporters to donate money to the London-based Barts Health NHS Trust, which is where he is currently working.

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In a follow-up tweet, he wrote that he was “blown away by how lovely, supportive and kind” the response to his post had been.

He declared his support for the COVID-19 appeal being mounted by refugee charity Choose Love.

Akkad is not the only entertainment industry figure to pledge his support to helping in the fight against the coronavirus.

Read more: Contagion advisor slams those not following guidelines

James McAvoy donated £275,000 to an NHS fundraiser, while a coalition of entertainment freelancers has pledged to help convert new locations into hospital facilities.

The biggest venue of the Cannes Film Festival has also been opened in order to accommodate homeless people in the wake of the festival’s postponement.