A London surgeon and country singer has penned a touching song in memory of NHS and other key workers who have lost their lives fighting the pandemic.

Charlie Knowles is a consultant surgeon at Barts Health NHS Trust. He said he hopes the song will help listeners “recognize the risk key workers are taking on behalf of the nation."

Knowles said the ballad is “close to home" for him as he has lost a friend in Italy to virus and is worried about two colleagues fighting for their lives in an ICU in the UK.

His music video shows the faces and names of healthcare workers who have given their lives to help fight the current health crisis, and his lyrics are an ode to their service.

“First and foremost, I want listeners to recognize the risk that healthcare workers and other key workers are taking on behalf of the nation, as an increasing number are giving their lives in this task," Knowles said.

“This is close to home for me. People are dying, and it's a reality that I don't think even we as doctors are used to."

Mr. Knowles has penned a touching ballad in memory of NHS and other key workers (Charlie Knowles/PA)

“We face death – when I go and see people who have been stabbed and things like that – but you're not the person at risk normally," he continued.

“And now we are at risk and that's a different feeling to what we've had before. It's genuinely a feeling of fear, and in particular colleagues and friends who have background medical conditions are seeing people in numbers who look and have similar health status to them dying."

He added the ballad aims to raise money for families of people who been impacted by the virus, and over $4,300 was donated in the first 24 hours of its release.

Mr. Knowles has recorded songs as well as being a surgeon (Charlies Knowles/PA)

Knowles has previously recorded an EP in Los Angeles with Grammy award-nominated producer Brandon Friesen, and is recording an album with Nick Tauber.

To donate to Knowles's fundraiser, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ballad-for-...