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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Sophie McCoid

Clap for Carers to return during new national lockdown

Clap for Carers looks set to return this Thursday at 8pm, under a new name.

Annemarie Plas, who came up with the weekly ritual that ran for 10 weeks during the first lockdown, tweeted that the tradition would be returning as Clap for Heroes.

She said: "We are bringing back the 8pm applause, in our 3rd lockdown.

"I hope it can lift the spirit, of all of us. Carers teacher, homeschooling parents, those who shield and ALL who is pushing through this difficult time! Please join & share! #clapforheroes."

Ms Plas came up with the "spontaneous idea" as a way to show support for frontline workers battling Covid-19, and thought it might end up being just her and a few friends sharing the moment on video chat.

However, it quickly became a national tradition every Thursday at 8pm during the first lockdown.

Millions of people across the UK lined their thresholds, gathered on pavements and stood in their gardens to support care staff and frontline workers.

Kate Garraway was one of the many celebrities that joined in with the initiative, as she clapped for medics looking after her husband Derek.

Members of the royal family and Prime Minister Boris Johnson also joined in with the show of support.

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However, the event was criticised for becoming politicised.

Ms Plas spoke to the PA news agency ahead of the final clap in May and 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."

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