A mass round of applause rang out throughout the UK once again tonight, as millions came together to show appreciation for the NHS.
People across Britain united to thank key workers for their hard work and dedication in the seventh Clap For Carers at 8pm on Thursday evening.
The weekly event sees people make noise from their homes, while still following the government’s instructions to observe social distancing amid the coronavirus lockdown.
Boris Johnson stood outside Downing Street to take part this week, after admitting there was ‘no question’ that NHS doctors and nurses had saved his life when he contracted Covid-19 in April.
The prime minister wrote on Twitter: ‘Thank you to all of our carers for your fantastic work, day in, day out. You are pillars of society in the fight against coronavirus.’
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The nation’s chefs showed their own appreciation for healthcare workers this week by delivering 25,000 curry meals to NHS staff to mark National Curry Week for Health Heroes.
Mohammed Munim, CEO of ChefOnline and ARTA, said he wanted to launch the initiative to celebrate the ‘real-life heroes’.
He said: ‘We are so proud of the work of the health workers on the front lines, risking their lives day in and day out to save others.
‘We wanted to send a big thank you for their selfless action against this awful virus, and we figured that it would be fantastic to gift them with top quality, fresh curry cuisine from some of the leading UK restaurants.
‘We want the health workers in the UK to know that we are so proud of them. They are the real-life superheroes and National Curry Week is a full tribute to them, using the magic of South Asian cuisine to hopefully bring a smile to their faces’.
Residents from a cul-de-sac in Surrey have been so enthusiastic in their support for the event, the council has allegedly told them to turn things down a notch.
Heathrow worker Perry Clark, 54, said he was warned by officials after he blasted Colonel Tom Moore’s version of You’ll Never Walk Alone and Dame Vera Lynn’s wartime classic We’ll Meet Again at the 8pm event.
While millions are still keen to show appreciation for frontline staff, footage of people congregating close together has drawn a backlash in recent weeks.
Anger was spurred when video footage showed people ignoring social distancing guidelines to applaud on Westminster Bridge in London and outside Leeds General Infirmary.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust urged people to clap from home ahead of tonight’s event.
A statement on their website read: ‘We really appreciate the wonderful support we receive at 8pm every Thursday, but please stay at home to clap for our fantastic teams tonight.’
A double rainbow appeared in the London skies right before last week’s Clap For Carers, as rain cleared just in time.
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