Tameside and Glossop prepares to be part of biggest NHS thank you

This weekend's celebrations could be the biggest 'thank you' the country has ever seen as the nation says a heartfelt thanks to NHS staff and all care workers, acknowledging their sacrifice in the face of the pandemic.

The weekly Thursday applause soon became a way of lockdown life and way of acknowledging and thanking the NHS and all key workers.

Dutch-born Londoner Annemarie Plas was credited with starting the ‘tradition’, which saw millions of people clapping outside their homes every Thursday at 8pm. Residential streets across Tameside and Glossopdale all joined in.

The applause came to an end in its 10th week but will now be replaced by an annual event instead on the NHS’s 72nd birthday. 

“Now is the time to expand this gratitude and acknowledge everyone who has and is still helping us through this crisis. 

“I hope we can make July 5 a day which unites us in a countrywide ‘thank you’,” she said.

The two key moments during the weekend will be:

• A minute’s silence on the evening of July 4 when people will be asked to light a candle in remembrance of all who have died during this time.
• A moment of thanks on July 5 when we take part in one last country-wide clap of thanks this year at 12pm. Nationwide buildings - including Tameside Hospital - will be lit up in NHS blue.

Tameside and Glossop IC NHS FT has its own special plans and will take the opportunity to thank the entire community for rallying round in the face of adversity to support the hospital.