HUNDREDS of people came out of their houses or stood at windows or on balconies to show their support for NHS staff and care workers.

Thursday evening’s rousing “clap for carers” followed on from the “clap for our NHS” a week earlier.

Across Brighton and Hove and the rest of Sussex people once again showed their support for care workers and key workers as well as those working in the National Health Service. As the light faded at 8pm on Thursday, many banged pots and pans, while others cheered and clapped

Now a woman has set up a campaign to follow through on the clapping with hard cash. Rachel Weekes, a market researcher from Fiveways in Brighton, started a fundraiser on Friday for the healthcare workers risking their lives in the fight against coronavirus.

In just three days, she managed to tot up £1,000 on her GoFundMe page, called The Big NHS Thank You.

The money will be donated to the health service, and Rachel suggested it could even help provide a bonus for its hard-working staff.

She said: “NHS workers are going above and beyond. They’re going into a war zone every day and not even thinking twice about it.

“Since the clap on Thursday night I’ve had a bee in my bonnet, thinking about how we can help. I decided to set up a fundraiser.

“It was all quite a rush, but it felt like the right moment and there’s a real desire to get behind it.

“We set the target at a million pounds and in three days managed to raise more than £1,000. One train of thought is that we could use the money towards a bonus for NHS workers, just so they know how much they’re appreciated.”

Rachel said the clap on Thursday night was “fuelled with emotion” and demonstrated people’s adoration for the NHS.

She said: “In a time where we are encouraged to isolate, it seems that isolation is bringing society closer together. We have seen many acts of kindness from businesses across the land, showing their support for those on the front lines.

“This fund is being set up so that the Great British public can show their appreciation for the amazing staff in the NHS. It’s a way to say thank you to our NHS heroes. The fund will go directly to the NHS workers so they can see how much we appreciate what they do for us. Please give what you can to recognise our fabulous NHS, made fabulous because of all the heroes that work for it.”

You can donate online at https://tinyurl.com/rnqgoll.

• Local newspapers across Newsquest are joining forces to raise money for workers at the frontline of the healthcare crisis. Please donate whatever you can, and let us give a collective, united message to our NHS workers of our huge appreciation for their efforts. You can get involved and support our campaign by sharing our appeal and telling us why you are thankful for the NHS #ThankYouNHS on social media using the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-our-nhs-guardian-angels.