CORONAVIRUS: Join Clap for Carers tonight and show your support for health service heroes

Thousands across the county have joined the Clap for Carers over the last two weeks, and the plan is to keep it going throughout the coronavirus lockdown.

People are urged to show their appreciation by stepping out of their front doors or opening their window and clapping and cheering at 8pm tonight.

Those taking part in recent weeks have made as much noise as possible, banging pans and letting off fireworks.

Torches have been shone and buildings, including Lincoln Cathedral, lit up in blue– in Boston, DJ Zac of LSM Discos did the same with his house last week.

Health campaigner Alison Marriot, who is co-ordinating the Clap for Carers in Boston and Skegness, said: “It’s essential we keep boosting morale and the Clap for Carers is one vital part of the package – along with the hot meals, handcreams and facemasks, along with scrubs, kit bags and PPE (face visors for example).

“It’s a beautiful thing to see everyone playing their part to support our NHS and other frontline workers. It also keeps reinforcing the message to stay at home!”

Staff working at Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital have heard the applause and have their morale boosted by it.

One Boston staff nurse at Pilgrim said after the first one that it was very much appreciated.

She said: “Thank you to all that clapped tonight. I and thousands of NHS staff appreciate all the support everyone is giving at this hard time. It may be tough but I am proud to work for the NHS right now.”

And junior doctor at the hospital – who has returned to the Pilgrim from a sabbatical carrying out duties as the current Miss England Bhasha Mukherjee said the support show with gestures like this was heart-warming.

She said: “The way the whole country has come together makes me really happy. It’s not just for medics, but all key workers are being recognised, and it is high time they were given the recognition they deserve.”