According to reports, a good number of Enderby folk turned out on their doorsteps to clap and make a noise in appreciation of the work of front-line NHS workers and others helping to maintain essential services through the coronavirus pandemic.
Clapping, the banging of pots and pans and even fireworks could be heard as people showed their appreciation for the work being done by heroes in a wide variety of occupations all working for a common purpose.
Delivery drivers, supermarket staff, care workers and bin collectors were among those honoured by the gesture which was mirrored across the nation.
The event is now expected to happen every Thursday at 20:00 BST. On Twitter, the “Clap for our Carers” campaign wrote “After an incredible response last week, #clapforourcarers will now be a weekly event, taking place every Thursday at 8pm. ?Share and spread the word! #clapforcarers #nhs #keyworkers #clapfornhs #coronavirus #stayhome #thankyou #WeAreInThisTogether
All over the nation households gathered on balconies, doorsteps and gardens to pay tribute to the efforts of key workers during the crisis.
The campaign was devised by Annemarie Plas, from Brixton, London, who was inspired by similar events happening in many other countries.
Enthusiasm for taking part in the event quickly spread when Ms. Plas posted details on her social media channels,
TV news channels showed video of a string of buildings including the Shard and Windsor Castle, lit up with ‘NHS’ blue lights to mark the moment. Main stream broadcasters paused normal programme schedules to broadcast live feeds from around the U.K.
A spotlight tribute
Lights also feature in an initiative calling upon people to support a UK-wide event today (Friday) entitled “Shine a Light on Coronavirus”.
This event aims to get residents across the country to go outside this evening (Friday 3rd April) and shine a torch into the sky in tribute to those most affected by the illness, from people who have died after being diagnosed with the illness to those who work on the front-line protecting our community.
A public Facebook group called Shine a light to fight coronavirus, with in excess of 300,000 members has regular posts from people battling coronavirus or families of those who have sadly passed away after being diagnosed with the illness.
The event is described as “an activity that everyone can be involved in” and which aims to “light up the sky” for “those who unfortunately have lost the fight, to those fighting and keeping strong and also to those vulnerable unable to leave their homes, and for all our fantastic NHS staff who are going above and beyond daily, as well as all the keyworkers who continue to help and protect us daily around the globe.