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Helen William & Raina Wilson

Stars Ringo and Keira design 'thank you' charity badges for Covid-19 helpers

Former Beatle Ringo Starr and actress Keira Knightley are among the stars to have designed special badges to give "heartfelt thanks" to people who have helped during the pandemic.

Pirates of the Caribbean star Keira designed two flying birds swooping together into a near heart shape for her pin, while Sir Ringo's has a peace symbol inside a love heart.

The words "heartfelt thanks" appear on the rim of each badge, which have been created for the PinYourThanks project.

Joe Lycett and Keira Knightley’s badges (Pin Your Thanks/PA)

The £5 £PinYourThanks badges, launched today, June 2, can be given to a carer, postman, a neighbour who has picked up shopping, or anyone who has helped during difficult times.

All profits go to NHS Charities Together and Volunteering Matters.

Keira said: "It feels very important to say 'thank you' to all the NHS workers, carers and others, who have done and continue to do such an incredible job through this time of crisis."

Comedian Joe Lycett drew a thumbs-up image with the words "Cheers Bab" in rainbow colours, while artist Ian Berry put a pair of clapping hands at the centre of his design.

A pair of hands shaped into a love heart are on the original in-house designed pin badge.

Each gift giver can also leave a message for their personal hero after going online - at www.pinyourthanks.org - and making their order.

The idea for the pins came from two-time Oscar-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan, who raided her contacts book to help pull the scheme together in just six weeks during lockdown.

Jenny, 69, who is a co-founder and creative adviser, told the PA news agency: "The original idea around the designs was that it was all about hands, hearts and stars because the hands do the physical caring, the heart is there to give and receive and also because all these people are stars.

"What I love about all the badges is that I just think they are all little glowing pieces of art."

Working on the pin project has left her "very humbled" by the impact of Covid-19 and how people have come together to help each other.

She said: "All the people who have had help from volunteers were asking 'how can we say thank you?' Saying thank you really does mean something and I always find I am curious when people do not say it. I think they are two of the most important words right now."

Clive Little, co-founder of £PinYourThanks, said: "We wanted to create something that would allow people to show their personal and heartfelt appreciation to their local heroes, from helpful neighbours or supportive friends, to local community volunteers, care workers and NHS staff.

"We hope this special symbol of thanks will help spread the feeling of togetherness throughout the country and beyond, whilst raising funds for important Covid-19-related causes".

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