Michael Sheen has joined the Archbishop of Canterbury to support the call for a national Thank You Day.
A campaign is asking the public to get together on July 4 and thank the people who have helped them over the pandemic.
To get the ball rolling, Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, said: “I want to thank the person who has been caring for my mother over the past year. She has been so generous with her time and spirit and care.”
Meanwhile, actor Michael Sheen wanted to thank a special family member. He said: “I want to say thank you to our little daughter Lyra who has spent most of her life in lockdown. Thank you Lyra for keeping us busy and sleep deprived.”
Other stars backing the cause are Bear Grylls, Ellie Simmonds and Ainsley Harriot.
Visit the website for the Thank You Day campaign here
The day is being backed by the Mirror and we are asking readers to send in their nominations for their local heroes and why they want to say thank you to them.
The idea for Thank You Day was proposed by a small group of people from across the UK including May Parsons, the nurse who delivered the UK’s first COVID vaccination jab in Coventry in December.
May said: “Thank You Day gives me the opportunity to thank all my amazing colleagues working in the NHS and social care.
“This has been the toughest year of our professional careers, and you have all worked so hard to treat all the sick patients who came through our doors, while delivery the biggest and most successful vaccination programme in NHS history.”
She added: “I am so grateful to all the people who kept us going: the school teams who looked after our children, shop staff, transport and delivery workers, and everyone else who has helped keep us and the country going. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
In an open invitation to the public, the proposers – many of whom are part of the campaigning Together coalition - have said: “Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on so many people, and it’s tested us in ways we never expected. But for many of us, it has also bought us closer together. Closer to our families and to our communities.
“As a country we aren’t always great at saying thank you to each other. But this year we want to be part of changing that.
“To choose one day where we all pause to say thank you to each other. To remember what binds us together, not just what pushes us apart.
“We all have different people to thank, from family members to key workers, good neighbours to volunteers.
“So please join us with your friends, neighbours and communities in taking part in the country’s first ever National Thank You Day on 4th July. And let’s say thank you together.”
Many people and organisations from around the UK have already been coming up with their own ideas for how to make Thank You Day special, including a street party, special Park Runs and raising a glass or a cuppa to say “Cheers for Volunteers” at 5pm on July 4.
