LOUD AND PROUD
THE sound of clapping echoed through the streets of Britain this evening as millions stood outside to celebrate our NHS heroes and brave key workers on the coronavirus frontline.
Exhausted healthcare staff were seen smiling and wiping away tears as they stood outside hospitals for the 8pm Clap for Carers.
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Pictures show the incredible scenes up and down the country as the UK came together to celebrate those who are keeping Britain going during the coronavirus crisis.
It is the fifth week in a row that the UK has clapped to honour our carers after a campaign which started online.
The first emotional Clap For Carers took place on Thursday, March 26, and has happened every week since.
Brits head outside to applaud, cheer, and bang pots and pans - with some even getting musical instruments to make some noise for the NHS.
Emergency services also sounded their vehicles' sirens and horns while flashing their blue lights - with a large gathering on Westminster Bridge.
Organisers behind the campaign believe NHS staff need to know the public are grateful for their work during these unprecedented times.
NHS workers have been joined by retired personnel and students nearing the end of their training in call up to combat Covid-19.
The Sun urged readers to get behind the weekly pause for thanks, and encouraged people to even turn their house blue in support — like 200 UK landmarks including Tower Bridge, the White Cliffs of Dover and Angel of the North near Gateshead.
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![Dr Alex George claps for carers at Lewisham Hospital and for all NHS workers](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 242 300"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
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Meanwhile, there have been calls to give our NHS heroes lasting support and recognition including the right protection at work.
As well as the PPE they desperately need to do their jobs safely, The Sun is backing philanthropist Lord Ashcroft’s plea for a collective George Cross medal to be awarded to the NHS.
He argues that the prestigious award would be appropriate as it acknowledges supreme bravery that did not take place in the heat of battle.
It will also honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice — the medics who lost their lives while treating patients during the coronavirus crisis.
The George Cross expert writes: “NHS staff and other key workers are constantly involved in life-and-death struggles not just for the coronavirus patients but for their own survival.
“Yet they go out to confront these dangers head-on. It is for this reason that their incredible courage, not just their admirable devotion to their job, must eventually be recognised in a lasting and appropriate way.”
Join our George Cross campaign for NHS staffWe are urging Sun readers to sign a petition calling for our NHS staff to be awarded the George Cross. We are backing a proposal by Lord Ashcroft to honour our health heroes with the gallantry gong given for acts of bravery that did not take place in battle. A No10 spokesman said: “The NHS is doing a fantastic job and the nation will want to find a way to say thank you when we have defeated this virus.” SAS hero Andy McNab added: “The award of a George Cross would show an emotional appreciation.” We are asking our readers to please sign the petition below.
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Britain today saw the death toll rise to 18,738 with the total number of cases across the country nearing 140,000.
It came as health secretary Matt Hancock promised to expand testing to all seven million key workers and their families.
The government classifies key workers as people working in jobs such as teachers, government employees and delivery drivers.
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Mr Hancock also warned of the dangers of lifting the lockdown too soon after chief medical officer Chris Whitty admitted measures could roll on into 2021.
He said: "We must maintain our resolve and follow the social distancing rules because they are working, they are protecting the NHS and they are saving lives."
The cabinet minister added lifting too early would be a "mistake" with reports Prime Minister Boris Johnson fears a "second wave" amid pressure from to ease the lockdown from colleagues.
Give now to The Sun's NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers. The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM. No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here: www.thesun.co.uk/whocareswinsappeal.
Emotional moment hundreds of NHS staff clap coffin of doc killed by coronavirus