Coronavirus: #OneMillionClaps appeal aims to raise at least £5m for NHS workers
Written by News on 09/04/2020
A new appeal being launched on Thursday aims to raise at least £5m to support NHS workers battling coronavirus.
Organised by NHS Charities Together, the #OneMillionClaps appeal aims to inspire at least one million Britons to donate £5 by texting “clap” to 70507 along with a message of support.
The money raised will be used to provide NHS nurses, doctors, staff and volunteers with food, travel, accommodation and counselling during the COVID-19 crisis.
The appeal will begin on Thursday evening when Britons are again expected to applaud NHS workers from their doorsteps for the third week in a row.
Comedian David Walliams has voiced a short film featuring NHS staff to promote the #OneMillionClaps appeal.
It also features a re-recording of Queen’s hit We Will Rock You with the new lyric: “NHS, we love you. We say, we say, thank you.”
For the last two weeks, people all over the UK – including Prime Minister Boris Johnson and countless celebrities – have joined in the “clap for our carers” campaign on Thursday evenings, in order to thank NHS staff for efforts on the coronavirus frontline.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Ellie Orton, chief executive of NHS Charities Together – the umbrella organisation for NHS charities – said: “Like everyone else I’ve been incredibly moved by the millions of us showing our public support for our health service over the last two Thursday evenings.
“I really hope #OneMillionClaps inspires those who can to give a donation that will make a real difference to the amazing staff and volunteers who are daily saving lives and battling against this horrible virus on our behalf.”
“Every single penny raised for nurses, doctors and NHS staff in this way will go to help those health service workers who are working so hard and risking so much to help us.”
Messages of support sent with each donation will be forwarded to local NHS charities and sent to the donors’ local hospitals.
You can £5 to the appeal by texting to 70507 followed by the word “CLAP” and a message of support.
(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: #OneMillionClaps appeal aims to raise at least £5m for NHS workers
