‘CLAP FOR CARERS ON CHRISTMAS DAY’
‘A WAY TO BRIGHTEN PEOPLE’S DAY, TOO’
DESPITE families being able to spend Christmas Day in their chosen bubble, for many people, the 25th will be a quiet one this year.
Marilyn and Tom Cowles, who are both in their 70s, have not been able to spend quality time with their family since April.
“I’ve never known anything like this in my lifetime,” 73-year-old Marilyn said.
Throughout the first lockdown, Marilyn and her husband Tom, 79, would clap for the NHS and careworkers at their doorstep on Thursday evenings, alongside their neighbours.
Doorstep greetings became a lockdown tradition in their friendly Birstall street, starting with Tom’s birthday, which happened to fall on the same day as the first night marking the country’s appreciation for the NHS.
“We were quite good in this street – we would actually all get involved when it was someone’s birthday and sing for them,” Marilyn said.
Now, with Christmas approaching, the pair know that for many, it will be a lonely day.
That is why they are encouraging people to join them and their neighbours once again in clapping for the NHS and careworkers on Christmas
Day. The couple and their neighbours will get together at their front doors at noon to clap and wish each other a Merry Christmas.
“We know there will be other people like us who won’t be able to see family at Christmas.
“It will be especially hard for widows and widowers too,” Tom said. “It would be lovely if we could get the whole city and whole county out to clap for the NHS and to wish each and every one us a happy Christmas.”
“It’ll make people happy and it will brighten up the day, even if it’s just for a little while,” Marilyn said.
If something similar is happening in your neighbourhood then let us know about it. Contact us at: