Why everyone’s talking about the One Million Claps appeal
NHS urges Brits applauding medical staff to also donate £5 via text message
An appeal dubbed the One Million Claps campaign is being launched to raise at least £5m for NHS workers battling the coronavirus outbreak.
For the past two weeks, people throughout the UK have stood outside their homes or on balconies, or leaned out windows, to pay tribute to front-line healthcare staff with a national round of applause at 8pm on Thursdays.
Now, members of the public are being invited to show their gratitude by also donating £5 by texting “clap” along with a message of support to 70507. The appeal begins tonight, as people across locked-down Britain gear up to applaud NHS workers once again.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The campaign is being promoted with the hashtag #OneMillionClaps and has been masterminded by the NHS Charities Together group, which represents, supports and champions the work of the health service’s official charities.
The Independent says that the money raised will be used “to provide supplies and support to NHS staff and volunteers — including food, travel, accommodation and counselling”.
The appeal was officially launched today on Good Morning Britain, with the show’s hosts Ben Shephard and Susanna Reid announcing that ITV is teaming up with NHS Charities Together to deliver the project, as the Daily Mirror reports.
Reid told viewers that the goal was “to raise millions of pounds to support those staff, who frankly, are risking their lives every day in the fight against this wretched virus”.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
“A short film has been produced to promote the campaign, voiced by the entertainer and writer David Walliams, which features a version of the Queen song We Will Rock You with its lyrics amended to ‘NHS, we love you; We say, we say, thank you’,” adds The Guardian.
The track was rewritten by Queen guitarist Brian May, who is also throwing his weight behind the fundraising appeal.
Urging members of the public to show their support too, NHS Charities Together chief executive Ellie Orton 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.
“Thousands of staff are risking their lives every day for us and many of them are now sick themselves or at breaking point.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Long Covid: study shows damage to brain's 'control centre'
The Explainer Research could help scientists understand long-term effects of Covid-19 as well as conditions such as MS and dementia
By The Week UK Published
-
Should we be worried about declining birth rates?
Talking Points Baby boom or bust
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
FDA OKs new Covid vaccine, available soon
Speed read The CDC recommends the new booster to combat the widely-circulating KP.2 strain
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Mpox: how dangerous is new health emergency?
Today's Big Question Spread of potentially deadly sub-variant more like early days of HIV than Covid, say scientists
By The Week UK Published
-
What is POTS and why is it more common now?
The explainer The condition affecting young women
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Brexit, Matt Hancock and black swans: five takeaways from Covid inquiry report
The Explainer UK was 'unprepared' for pandemic and government 'failed' citizens with flawed response, says damning report
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Are men the problem with male contraception?
Talking Points Science could now offer contraceptive gels and pills for men, but questions remain over trials, and men's responsibility
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
A 'transformative' gene therapy for haemophilia B
The Explainer Costly treatment that could be 'truly life-changing' for patients with rare blood disorder gets funding boost
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published