One year since the first Clap For Our Carers organised by Streatham mum
Today marks a year since the first ever Clap for Our Carers on March 25 2020, organised by Streatham mum Annemarie Plas.
The yoga instructor had the idea for a nationwide clap to show appreciation for frontline workers after seeing something similar in her native country, the Netherlands.
But she never expected it to gain so much traction.
She said at the time: “I wanted to do it after hearing the first-hand experiences of friends back in the Netherlands, and how much it lifted the spirits of those in hospitals – patients and staff. I love the way it has brought communities together, as they self-isolate during lockdown. It also gives a chance for people to communicate, at a safe distance, with their neighbours.
“Hopefully it can give some strength and a boost to whoever needs it. I hope it gives that boost to the front line people, people that we’ve often taken for granted. They can see how much we appreciate them. Without them we are no one.”
The idea was supported by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who posted a video to their official instagram of the whole family clapping outside their Norfolk home.
Other celebrities who joined the clap included the Beckhams and the cast of James Bond, including Daniel Craig and Ben Whishaw.
The London Eye was also lit up in honour of the brave healthcare staff.
The clapping ran for ten weeks, with millions across the country clapping, banging pans and even setting off fireworks to say thank you to NHS and frontline staff.
Ms Plas decided to end the event there, fearing that it could become too politicised.
She said: “Without getting too political, I share some of the opinions that some people have about it becoming politicised.
“I think the narrative is starting to change and I don’t want the clap to be negative. A clap is something normal people can do, showing our appreciation.
“But the power is not with us. We can give them respect but we are not signing the cheque – that falls on another desk.”
An attempt to revive the clap in January did not gain as much traction.
On March 11, public service trade union Unison proposed a mass slow clap as a sarcastic response to the 1 per cent pay rise for NHS staff proposed by the government.
The movement is now hoping to start a National Clap For Our Carers Day on March 25, the date of the first clap.
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