More on KentOnline
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Hard-working NHS staff toiling on the coronavirus frontline will again be clapped and cheered from the nation’s doorsteps tonight.
People from across the county stood at their front doors, windows and balconies to applauded their life saving efforts last Thursday - and a second round is due tonight.
Among those were people in Borstal, Rochester, who shouted support and gave a standing ovation from their flat windows and front doors.
People in Folkestone also took part in the national event and clapped and cheered support for hospital workers.
It was a similar picture in Sittingbourne, on the Sonora Fields estate.
The movement, which was the brainchild of Dutch Londoner Annemarie Plas, garnered support from the national media and public figures after picture posters were circulated across social media platforms.
Planning for the viral phenomenon began before Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave the lockdown order last Monday.
Then the nation’s dedication to NHS heroes gathered pace, determined to boost to those on the frontline and to foster a sense of togetherness among Britain’s communities.
She told us: "I hope that we can make this one as popular or even bigger."
Among the public figures to give a big round of applause were Princess Charlotte and Princes George and Louis, and the Prime Minister and Chancellor Rishi Sunak did the same outside 10 Downing Street - two metres apart - the day before Mr Johnson tested positive for the virus.
In Deal, plaudits were heard in Middle Deal Road and Church Lane as well as Birdwood, Orchard, Dola and William Pitt Avenues.
Several landmarks across the county also lit up to show their support including Rochester Cathedral and the Clocktower in Herne Bay. They joined te London Eye and Westminster Abbey.
The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury was also lit up, casting a blue light over the city skyline.
And residents in Staplehurst turned their festive tree blue, to celebrate the brave efforts of emergency workers.
The lights went up on Friday and there are plans for blue lanterns to decorate the tree, found at The Parade.
Parish council chairman Paddy Riordan, an electrician by trade, put up the bulbs with the help of tree surgeon John Grimwood and a cherry picker donated by local firm Acorn Hire.
Cllr Riordan said: “The response has been wonderful. Obviously a lot of people can’t go out to see them but we put the pictures on Facebook and there was so much positive feedback. We wanted to show that as a community we support the NHS.
“We have got an emergency help team made up of 80 volunteers running around supporting people who can’t leave their homes, so it’s nice for them to see it as well. It’s keeping everybody’s spirits up.”
Spain, France and the Netherlands have already taken part.
A message on the clapforourcarers.co.uk page said: “What is the idea for the next edition? We will still be clapping but this time we will add we will add everyone that is helping leep our world turning. All who are OUT so we can stay IN.”
It is hoped streets will again be filled with the sound of applause from 8pm tonight.
