Leeds residents show support for frontline NHS staff - as keyworkers explain why they won't join Clap For Our Heroes

The 8pm Clap For Our Carers was set to make a return this evening as a weekly Clap For Our Heroes.

Residents took to their doorsteps during the first national lockdown to cheer on healthcare staff and keyworkers, before the weekly round of applause came to an end in May last year.

The Clap for Heroes campaign was re-launched to not only pay tribute to NHS staff, care workers and all key workers - which Clap for Carers did - but it will also “acknowledge every hero who has played their part through the pandemic.”

But it was a quieter affair in Leeds this evening.

The return of the weekly ritual has been met with a mixed response online, with some NHS workers asking people not to clap, and just stay at home.

Yorkshire Evening Post readers have explained why they chose not to join in with the clap tonight, calling for more practical support for the NHS.

They have urged people to follow Government guidelines and stay at home, supporting healthcare workers by preventing the spread of the virus.

Keyworker Gillian Jackson said: "A pay rise would be better than someone clapping in freezing weather."

James Swallow, whose wife is a healthcare worker, agreed: "I would rather my wife and her friends got a proper living wage and felt safe at home."

Richard Barrow, who worked for the NHS for 33 years, said he did not clap this evening as he called for better funding for the NHS.

Richard said: "Covid has reinforced my view that all workers are important and that we rely on all sorts to provide important services in these tragic times.

"But if it lifts people's spirits then it's fine clap on."

Carer Jeanette Pack said she would not be joining in the Clap For Our Heroes.

She said: "I would rather people stick to the lockdown rules!"

Carol Whitworth said: "I have the greatest respect for frontline and key workers, but I think it's much better to do what we are all supposed to be doing to try and call a halt to this pandemic."

Jackie Poad agreed and called for more financial and emotional support for NHS staff.

She said: "They need people to follow the rules and they deserve to be supported financially, emotionally and with the resources they need to do the amazing jobs that they are all doing day in day out."

Steve Smith said: "What they need is a better salary and more importantly proper supply of safety gear during this pandemic."

Katilin Lee, who works at a nursery in Leeds, said her colleagues decided to form their own weekly ritual in support of one another.

She said: "We decided that we should clap every Thursday at 10am to support each other, it was lovely to show each other that we care about each other."

Jane Dawson said that all key workers deserve a pay rise for their efforts during the pandemic.

She said: "They don't need us to clap. They need us to follow the rules to reduce the demand on the NHS."

Linda Jones added: "They deserve real support - a decent salary - plus vaccinations and decent PPE!"

Judy Fowler said: "All healthcare workers would prefer we just did what we are supposed to do - wash our hands, keep our distance and stay inside and let them get on with sorting out the mess we are in."

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