United Kingdom celebrates Thank You Day: Honouring unsung Heroes of COVID-19 Pandemic
The UK celebrates Thank You Day every June 5 to show gratitude to unsung heroes who made a positive impact in communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The holiday honours NHS staff, volunteers, council workers, charities, and faith leaders, and aims to strengthen community spirit.
PremiumEvery year on June 5, the United Kingdom comes together to celebrate Thank You Day—a special holiday dedicated to expressing gratitude to the unsung heroes who have made a positive impact in local communities. First observed in 2021, Thank You Day was established as a way to appreciate the selfless contributions of individuals during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank You Day has been recognized by the UK government and several notable individuals such as Lorraine Kelly and Gary Lineker.
The holiday recognizes and honours the National Health Service (NHS) staff, as well as volunteers, council workers, social workers, charities, refuse collectors, and faith leaders who played a vital role in supporting and improving the lives of people in their communities during the pandemic. Many of these unsung heroes went above and beyond their regular duties, with faith leaders even offering their places of worship as vaccination centres.
Origin of Thank You Day
Thank You Day was initiated by the Together Coalition, a small non-profit organization committed to fostering unity and togetherness. The grassroots campaign aimed not only to show appreciation but also to strengthen community spirit after months of lockdown and isolation. The movement was driven by influential figures such as May Parson, the nurse who administered the first COVID-19 vaccine in the UK, and Debbie Matthew, a stroke survivor.
The campaign quickly gained support from the government, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson himself pledging to host a "thank you party" barbecue for NHS workers and representatives from the Royal Voluntary Service. Several notable individuals, including renowned TV personalities Lorraine Kelly and Gary Lineker, as well Michael Sheen, Dame Judi Dench, Raheem Sterling, and Tom Kitchin, expressed their commitment to participating in Thank You Day events.
How it is celebrated?
On Thank You Day, local communities come together to celebrate in various ways, such as organizing tartan tea parties, picnics, and barbecues.
Former UK Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government, Rt. Hon. Robert Jenrick, summed up the spirit of Thank You Day by stating, "You are all our community heroes, and on behalf of the UK government, I want to say thank you."
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