People across Scotland will celebrate the NHS workers on the coronavirus frontline tonight – with a round of applause.
To thank those who have put other people’s lives before their own during the Covid-19 pandemic, people will clap from their doorsteps, balconies and windows at 8pm on Thursday.
The #ClapForOurCarers campaign is to show appreciation and raise awareness for the doctors, nurses, pharmacists and carers working gruelling hours to look after those struck down with coronavirus.
Thousands of retired NHS workers have returned to their positions and final-year student medics will be joining the ranks.
Although Scotland was placed on “lockdown” on Monday to try to mitigate the spread of the virus to ease pressure on the country’s health services, NHS workers are still working round the clock to save lives as positive cases continue to rise.
The official Clap For Our Carers campaign poster reads: “During these unprecedented times, they need to know that we are grateful.
“Please join us on 26th of March at 8pm for a big applause (from front doors, garden, balcony, windows, living rooms, etc) to show all nurses, doctors, GPs and carers our appreciation for their ongoing hard work and fight against this virus.”
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock asked people to “join together” to thank NHS employees, who have been classed as ‘essential’ and ‘key’ workers during the pandemic.
In a social media video, Mr Hancock said: “My colleagues in the NHS do so much to look after us, especially in our hour of need and never more so than during the coronavirus crisis.
“So let’s join together at 8pm tonight to say thank you to everyone in the NHS.”
Let’s join together at 8pm to thank everyone in the NHS: https://t.co/Y5iY3NXGVC pic.twitter.com/9ZdrJEXmrs
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) March 26, 2020
A number of celebrities have promoted the campaign. including former Spice Girl Emma Bunton, Ant and Dec, Gary Lineker and Amanda Holden.
DC Thomson Media, one of the UK’s leading media houses, will pause transmission of all their Scottish radio stations, including the newly-established Pure Radio, to make way for the applause.
Tonight @ 8pm, all of our radio stations will pause for a mass applause to recognise the immense efforts of #NHS workers 👏👏 @wavefmlive, @kingdomfm, @originalfm & @PureRadioScot are all taking part to show their support #clapforourcarers #clapforNHS pic.twitter.com/mViY1NjNbh
— DC Thomson Media (@dct_media) March 26, 2020
Those who join in with the celebration are encouraged to upload their clapping videos to social media, using the campaign hashtag.
In addition to the applause, UK landmarks such as the London Eye, Belfast City Hall and Gateshead Millenium Bridge will light up blue to show support to the NHS, as part of the coinciding #LightItBlue campaign.
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