This Sunday (5th July) the country is invited to say a huge Thank You to all who have sacrificed and supported each other through out the COVID-19 pandemic, including: the NHS, carers, keyworkers, family members, neighbours, all who have isolated and stayed at home – all who have fought COVID-19 /together.
Organisers the /together Coalition have chosen the NHS’s 72nd birthday to invite everyone out on their doorsteps for a bigger, louder and better celebration of our togetherness than we have seen so far!
The country is invited to colour posters for their windows with thank you messages. Or to create, print off, colour and send thank you cards to those who have supported them through the last few months.
On the evening of Saturday 4th July, people are invited to place a light – an LED candle, a torch or lamp – in their windows in a collective act of remembrance of all those lost to or because of COVID-19.
Landmarks and buildings around the nation – including the Library of Birmingham – will be lit up in blue as part of this time of remembrance and reflection.
On Sunday 5th July, people are asked to come out to their doorsteps – or to stop wherever they are – at 5pm to join in a huge applause for all. At 5.05pm all are invited to raise a glass or mug of thanks to each other – friends, neighbours, family.
The NHS has faced its biggest challenge ever this year and Chief Executive of NHS England and NHS Improvement Sir Simon Stevens said: “[..]staff from across the health service have pulled out the stops like never before to deliver extraordinary care.
“From the domestic workers on the COVID-19 wards who have worked tirelessly to keep hospitals clean, to medical students heading the call for 111 call handlers and IT professionals working around the clock to keep services running, the NHS has mobilised to tackle this once in a lifetime global pandemic.”
Events:
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Saturday 4th July
- Evening: Place a light (LED candle, torch, lamp, LED string lights) in your window as an act of remembrance
- #LightItBlue: Organised by the #MakeItBlue campaign, buildings and landmarks across the nation will be lit up.
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Sunday 5th July
- NHS 72nd Birthday
- Decorate your windows with thank you posters – you can download resources from the /together Coalition website
- 5pm: Join an enormous, one-off clap to say Thank You to everybody!
- 5.05pm: Raise a glass, mug or cuppa to thank each other – our friends, family and neighbours – for looking out for us, helping the vulnerable, or simply doing the right thing and staying at home
- Afterwards: The /together coalition suggest that people stay outside to chat to neighbours (at a social distance!), or reach out to someone who is lonely, isolated or stuck in another household, to let them know they are appreciated.
