The 10th weekly Clap for Carers event may be the last, after the woman behind the idea said she will no longer take part.

Millions of people across the UK have lined their thresholds, gathered - while socially distancing - on pavements, and stood in their gardens at 8pm every Thursday to demonstrate their support for care staff and frontline workers.

But the ritual has been criticised by some for becoming "politicised", while others, including NHS staff, have said some people who take part in the clap then wilfully ignore the plea to stay at home and avoid gatherings in an effort to ease the strain on the healthcare system.

Annemarie Plas, 36, said she has no problem with people continuing to gather at 8pm each week to clap, but said she will not be among those taking part in future.

"To have the most impact I think it is good to stop it at its peak," she said. "Without getting too political, I share some of the opinions that some people have about it becoming politicised. I think the narrative is starting to change and I don't want the clap to be negative."

For all the latest coronavirus news, head to our live blog: [ Ссылка ]

Get the latest headlines: [ Ссылка ]

Telegraph.co.uk and YouTube.com/TelegraphTV are websites of The Telegraph, the UK's best-selling quality daily newspaper providing news and analysis on UK and world events, business, sport, lifestyle and culture.

свернуть