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Clap for Carers set to return on Thursday as Brits urged to come together to applaud all Covid ‘heroes’
THE "Clap For Carers" event will return this week to honour everyone who has shown resilience during the pandemic.
It will return under the new name 'Clap For Heroes' at 8pm on Thursday, the organiser said today.
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During the first lockdown, Brits clapped their hands and clanged pots and pans at 8pm every Thursday to say thanks to key workers.
Millions across the country joined in to support the NHS and carers and it quickly became a national tradition.
Many famous faces also joined the applause, including the Prime Minister and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
However, the event initially ended after 10 weeks as the creator was concerned it was getting politicised.
The founder of the movement, Annemarie Plas, said the clap is now being brought back - with the first day of its return on Thursday.
This time it will also recognise ordinary people who have just "endured" the pandemic.
As well as frontline key workers, the clap will honour home-schoolers, neighbours, scientists, volunteers, those who wear masks when out, those who stay at home and socially distance, and brave shop workers.
It will also recognise those working in the arts and hospitality sectors, those who have battled or are still battling Covid-19 (or caring for a loved one who is unwell), and loved ones who tragically died because of the virus.
She said: “When we first started clapping for our incredible NHS staff, care workers and key workers last March, none of us had any expectation that we would be in an even worse situation nine months later.
“Last year the weekly applause united communities and had us talking to our neighbours whilst we acknowledged the immense sacrifices our carers were making. They were and still are heroes, but this time round we also want to recognise all the other heroes that keep the country going and have endured such challenging times.
“This Thursday at 8pm we want the whole country to unite again to remember and celebrate all of these heroes, including those most dear to us. Bring out those pots and pans, get the kids involved - they’ve been heroes too after all!"
Last May, Annemarie admitted the "narrative [was] starting to change" around the "Clap for Carers" event and she pulled the plug before the clap became "negative".
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However, this time, she thinks the weekly event could boost the nation's morale, even though she's acknowledged that some Brits might not think it's "appropriate".
She said: “I fully acknowledge that things are now worse than ever and some people might not feel an applause is appropriate, but I also know how much it meant to millions of people last time, not just to our carers but to our neighbours and communities.
“We all need to stay connected and be there for each other and we all deserve a round of applause for what we have gone through and can expect from the coming months."
The Sun says
THE weekly “clap for carers” was a moving show of national unity last year.
We’re delighted to see it return tonight.
The trauma some medics are enduring is even worse now than it was then.
If we can do anything to lift their spirits — as well as our own — we must.
Brits clap and cheer for our brave NHS heroes fighting coronavirus on the frontline