Two women born before the NHS was formed will take to the streets this weekend in a bid to save the health service.

Kay Murphy, 72, and her friend and neighbour of more than 40 years, Anne Ayres, will be in Sittingbourne High Street between 11.15am and 1pm on Saturday urging passers-by to sign their petition.

More than 400 people from the town have already signed an online version, which calls on candidates standing to become an MP for the Sittingbourne and Sheppey area in May’s general election, to commit to protecting the NHS from privatisation, making sure it has the funding it needs, and keeping it out of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) deal with the United States.

If signed and the NHS is not excluded from it, corporations will have the power to sue the government for loss of future profits because the services they offer are available for free through the health service.

The day of action, which has been co-ordinated by the group 38 Degrees, will coincide with more than 9,000 other members protesting across the country on the same day.

Mrs Murphy, of School Lane, Bapchild, said: “Anne and I grew up hearing about the suffering people endured before this wonderful service became freely available to all.

“We all need the NHS at our best and worst moments in life.”

David Babbs, executive director of 38 Degrees, said: “This day of action should send a clear message to politicians: you’re being watched by millions of us fighting to protect our NHS.

“It is the best healthcare system in the world, and it belongs to all of us. But too many politicians have ignored the doctors and nurses on the frontline.

“They’ve turned their back on the principle of an NHS owned by all of us and working to save lives, rather than to make money.

“People in Sittingbourne will be standing with thousands of people across the country to say that we love our NHS too much to let it be sold off to the highest bidder.”

• Anyone interested in collecting signatures on the day is asked to meet at Sittingbourne train station at 11am on Saturday

• To sign the petition visitwww.38degrees.org.uk/nhs