Landmarks turn blue as royals and Brits across the UK clap to thank coronavirus NHS heroes

BRITAIN turned blue tonight and joined in a mass round of applause to thank NHS heroes battling deadly coronavirus.

Landmarks lit up for frontline healthcare workers, while Brits up and down the country clapped and whooped in a joint show of support.

Blackpool Tower, Newcastle’s Tyne Bridge, and Tower Bridge were among the landmarks to salute the NHS as part of the #lightitblue campaign.

At 8 pm on Thursday, Brits joined in with Clap for Carers to say thank you to the NHS heroes on their doorsteps with the Royal Family, Boris Johnson and NHS staff clapping across the country.

Brits took to their balconies to join in with the applauseCredit: PA: Press Association



It comes as the latest figures show 578 Covid-19 patients have so far died in the country, while the number of confirmed cases has hit 11,658.

Cheers could be heard across BritainCredit: PA: Press Association

The Army tweeted footage of soldiers applauding, adding: Thank you #NHS from all in the British Army.

The footage was also released on the royal family’s Twitter account of people taking part by cheering, clapping and banging pans at Windsor Castle.

NHS reacts!

That was emotional 💙 — NHS (@NHSuk) March 26, 2020

Clapping, cheering, sirens and car horns were heard outside St Helier Hospital in Carshalton, south London.

One taxi driver who stopped outside had decorated his car with the message – Thank you NHS heroes.

NHS workers at Royal Liverpool University Hospital also join in the round of applauseCredit: PA: Press Association



Lorraine Carney, 49, and husband Paul, 51, were among a handful of people who clapped and cheered while stood spaced out on green across the road from the hospital.

Mrs. Carney, who said the couple lived two roads away, told the PA news agency – I was quite emotional.

She added – I have had four children and when they have been poorly I have been up here and they have helped us all the way through.

I had all my four children here and my four grandchildren have been born here.

READ MORE: Coronavirus home testing kits will be available in days from Boots and Amazon.

The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and their staff all separately joined in with a round of applause at Birkhall in Scotland.

Charles, who has tested positive for coronavirus, and Camilla are isolating from each other and their small number of staff.

Clapping also took place at Windsor Castle where the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are staying.

The footage of George, Charlotte, and Louis was taken by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.



The Metropolitan Police share their thanks.

We are very proud to have joined in with #clapforNHS #clapforourcarers this evening.



To every single one of our blue light colleagues at @NHSuk, we would like to say a very big thank you! 👏#ThankYouNHS — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 26, 2020

The London Ambulance Service shares their moment.

The very emotional moment we heard clapping and cheering from our headquarters in Waterloo.



Thank you all! 💚#clapfornhs #clapforourcarers #NHSHeroes pic.twitter.com/4yLNz4kLaO — London Ambulance Service #StayHomeSaveLives (@Ldn_Ambulance) March 26, 2020

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were among those applauding the NHS as part of the Clap For Carers initiative.

A video of the three young royals clapping was posted on the Kensingtonroyal Instagram account.

Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak join in: Credit: Press Association

Police patrolling Royal Liverpool University Hospital show their support: Credit: Press Association

It came on the same day army of volunteers enlisted to help the NHS neared 750,000.

It smashed the initial target of 250,000 recruits – needed for tasks such as driving patients and supplies and making phone checks on the vulnerable.



Health service boss Sir Simon Stevens said – The response we are seeing from the public to join us in our country’s greatest time of need is extraordinary.

Gary White and Chuck Crampton, who jointly started the #lightitblue campaign, said all venues will use existing LED technology to create a flash of blue on facades and screens.

It means that people at different venues will be able to show their support while staying at home in line with current Government advice during the pandemic.

In a statement, they said – The events and entertainment industry find itself in an unprecedented state of enforced inaction.

The best thing we can do – apart from staying at home, is to use our skills and networks to say thank you to everyone who is supporting the NHS and risking their own health to help others during this pandemic.

READ MORE: Coronavirus home testing kits will be available in days from Boots and Amazon.