Thousands of people took their doorsteps across Wales to pay tribute to NHS staff and key workers with a round of applause.
The coronavirus pandemic has put our health service under enormous strain but doctors, nurses, paramedics, GPs, receptionists, cleaners, catering staff and others have been working around the clock and putting themselves in risk to make sure some of the most vulnerable in society are cared for.
The effort made by thousands of NHS workers across the country has not gone unnoticed with communities and individuals showing their appreciation by taking to their doorsteps, balconies, windows at their home and applauded at 8pm on Thursday.
People also cheered, beeped their car horns, and in some cases let off fireworks.
The Clap for Carers campaign was launched by Annemarie Plas, who came up with the idea after seeing a similar campaign in her home country of The Netherlands.
The Clap For Our Carers campaign poster reads: “During these unprecedented times they need to know that we are grateful.
"Please join us on: 26th March at 8pm for a big applause (from front doors, garden, balcony, windows, living rooms, etc) to show all nurses, doctors, GPs and carers our appreciation for their ongoing hard work and fight against the virus.
"Please share this message, so we can make sure the word spreads and reaches all to join!"
Hundreds also took to social media to show what they were doing to mark their appreciation for our NHS heroes.
Taking to Twitter, Chloe Anne Pritchard said: "Thank you to our amazing NHS workers and keyworkers. Our little street in north Wales was clapping and cheering out loud for you."
Paull Hughes said: "Living in rural Wales and hearing all the clapping and cheering as well as horns sounding. It's emotional and surreal."
Specodi said: "I clapped so loudly my hands hurt, it echoed in the road and people twitched their curtains. Thank you NHS, carers and essential services for everything you're doing to save our lives. Thank you from the Newport curtain twitchers and me."
Cara said: "That was amazing. People in Carmarthen clapping for the NHS workers. We are thankful."
Julie Gaskell said: "I live in Cefn Glas, Bridgend, and our street and in the distance of our estate the echoing of clapping and cheering for our heroes our NHS.
"It was a very emotional feeling as we have a NHS worker in our street so we clapped for our neighbour too "Makes you proud to be British .. we always stand tall."
Helen Richard said: "8pm in Aberaman south Wales this happened - tears overflowing."
Andrea Thomas said: "Such a lovely idea. Loads were out in our quiet little street in Cadoxton, south Wales. Thank you NHS xxx."
The Senedd in Cardiff Bay, the Principality Stadium and the Guildhall in Swansea was also lit up blue to pay tribute to NHS workers.
The Assembly Wales Twitter account said: "We're lighting the Senedd blue tonight to thank all of those caring for us across Wales."
There were thousands across the rest of the UK who took part in the clap for NHS heroes, with landmarks such as Wembley lit blue and videos of London full of clapping from a birdseye view were circulating on social media.
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak were outside their homes in Downing Street clapping and Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis also showed their appreciation.
Let's hope our NHS Heroes realise just how much we love and appreciate them.
