Richmond residents will be back outside their homes this evening to applaud NHS workers for their vital work throughout the pandemic.

For 10 weeks of the lockdown, the 'Clap for Carers' events of Thursday evenings brought communities together.

The exercise is set to be repeated at 5pm today (Sunday, July 5) – the 72nd anniversary of the formation of the NHS.

Clap for Carers

The initiative started on March 25 and was the brainchild of Dutch-born Londoner Annemarie Plas.

It became a weekly tradition and saw householders join their neighbours out of their front doors - often with whatever household items they could find to make a loud noise.

Pots and pans proved a particularly popular choice for many people.

The show of appreciation ended after 10 weeks and it was Ms Plas herself who called for it to finish.

Instead, she expressed her hope that it could instead become an annual event.

A heartfelt thanks to hospital workers

NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said he hoped the public would use the new anniversary as an opportunity to "say a heartfelt thank-you" to hospital staff.

"This year has been the most challenging in NHS history, with staff displaying extraordinary dedication, skill and compassion to care for the 100,000 patients with Covid-19 who needed specialist hospital treatment and many others besides," he added.

"During this testing time our nurses, doctors, physios, pharmacists and countless more colleagues were sustained by the support of the public, not least through the weekly applause for key workers."

The Together coalition

Today's nationwide clap has been organised following a letter from the Together coalition.

The letter is signed by influential figures including Ms Plas, Sir Simon and the Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Rev Justin Welby.

Rev Welby said: "My sincere hope is that this weekend will serve as a powerful moment of remembrance, thanks and connection, as we come together and commit to helping to create kinder, closer, more connected communities."

Send us your footage!

Many residents and groups have made arrangements to come together to applaud at 5pm.

Share pictures and video from your street's fabulous clap with us.

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