Thanks a lock
Join in national effort to show gratitude to our pandemic heroes
CELEBRITIES and community leaders are backing a call for a national Thank You Day this summer.
The campaign is asking the public to get together on July 4 and thank those who helped them through the pandemic.
To get the ball rolling, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said: “I want to thank the person who has been caring for my mother over the past year. She has been so generous with her time and spirit and care.”
Meanwhile, Quiz actor Michael Sheen wanted to thank a special family member. He said: “I want to say thank you to our little daughter Lyra, who has spent most of her life in lockdown.
“Thank you, Lyra, for keeping us busy and sleep deprived.”
Among the many stars supporting the cause are Dame Judi Dench, Felicity Kendal, Craig David, Gary Lineker, Bear Grylls, Ellie Simmonds, Ainsley Harriot and Steve Backshall.
The day is being backed by the Mirror and we are asking readers to send in your nominations for your local heroes and why you want to say thank you to them.
Thank You Day was proposed by a small group of people from across the country, including May Parsons, the senior nurse who delivered the world’s first Covid-19 jab, to Margaret Keenan, 90, in Coventry back in December.
May said: “Thank You Day gives me the opportunity to thank all my amazing colleagues working in the NHS and social care.
I want to thank the person who has been caring for my mother. She has been so generous with her time and spirit and care
GRATEFUL
JUSTIN WELBY ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
“This has been the toughest year of our professional careers, and you have all worked so hard to treat all the sick patients who came through our doors, while delivering the biggest and most successful vaccination programme in NHS history.”
She added: “I am so grateful to all the people who kept us going: school teams who looked after our children, shop staff, transport and delivery workers, and everyone else who helped keep the country going.”
In an open invitation to the public, the organisers – many of whom are part of the campaigning Together coalition – have said: “Covid-19 has had a devastating impact and tested us in ways we never expected.
“But for many of us, it has also bought us closer together. Closer to our families and communities.
“As a country we aren’t always great at saying thank you to each other.
“But this year we want to be part of changing that. To choose one day where we all pause to say thank you to each other.
“So please join us with your friends, neighbours and communities in taking part in the country’s first-ever National Thank You Day on July 4. And let’s say thank you together.”
Ideas for how to make the occasion special include street parties, park runs and raising a glass or a cuppa at 5pm to say Cheers for Volunteers.
I want to say thank you to our little daughter Lyra, who has spent most of her life in lockdown. Thank you for keeping us busy
MICHAEL SHEEN ACTOR
I am grateful to all the people who kept us going: school teams who looked after our children, shop staff, transport and delivery workers who kept the country going. We couldn’t have done it without you
MAY PARSONS NURSE WHO DELIVERED FIRST CORONAVIRUS VACCINE IN UK