Coronavirus: Rita Ora praises ‘superhero’ mother as she returns to NHS frontline amid pandemic

'Her generosity to help others just cements what I know my mother is capable of' singer says

Rita Ora has praised her “superhero” mother for deciding to return to the NHS frontline amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The singer's mother, Vera Sahatciu, is a qualified psychiatrist and will be helping prevent mental health and perinatal patients from becoming exposed to Covid-19.

Speaking to Hello! Magazine, Ora said: “My mother has always been my hero, but this pandemic has honestly made her a superhero in my eyes.

“She is so brave and has been through so much on her own, yet her generosity to help others just cements what I know my mother is capable of.

“I'm so happy the rest of the world has now got to see it too.”

Ora went on to acknowledge that it is not only her mother who is stepping forward during such uncertain times, adding: “All the NHS doctors and nurses are my heroes.”

Discussing her decision to return to work, Sahatciu said that there was “never any question” of her helping with the response to the virus.

“I love my job and want to do my best,” she said.

“It's my role and duty to help others. Nothing will stop me unless I'm not well enough to do it.

“These are challenging times and I've never before had to provide more compassion and support to other colleagues.

Rita Ora's mother, Vera Sahatciu, has returned to work on the frontline as a psychiatrist amid the coronavirus outbreak (Rex)

“I've witnessed heroism by all NHS staff, from doctors and nurses to porters and cleaners in busy, stressful and risky environments.”

Sahatciu added that her daughter is also “very keen to do her bit” and has signed up to become an NHS volunteer alongside her sister.

“They'll be among the people who deliver medical supplies, collect prescriptions, check on the elderly and make phone calls to lonely and vulnerable members of the community,” Ora’s mother said.

The singer recently took part in a charity live stream to help raise funds for the Covid-19 Solitary Response Fund, which was founded by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Ora was joined by a host of other musicians for the live performance, called Twitch Stream Aid, including Ellie Goulding, John Legend and Bastille frontman Dan Smith.

A number of celebrities have been sharing tributes to the NHS as health workers continue to fight the coronavirus.

On Saturday, Victoria Beckham said she felt “humbled” after speaking to doctors and nurses on the frontline via video call.

“Yesterday I had the humbling opportunity to speak to an NHS team in Scotland,” Beckham wrote in the caption of an Instagram post.

“Please have a look and listen to what they are saying. They are so inspiring and we all need to do our part in staying home and helping these incredible workers and their colleagues on the frontline x VB.”

Similarly, Orlando Bloom praised the NHS on Instagram while recalling the moment healthcare professionals saved his life.

“The NHS saved my life when I was 20 after I fell from a 3rd floor window and broke my back,” he wrote in the caption.

“Having lived in the US for nearly 20 years now it’s one of the public services from home I’ll always respect the most.”

Bloom accompanied the post with a video of the NHS logo and the statement: “Don’t send our NHS backwards. #StayHomeNow.”