Hartlepool neighbours create amazing mile-long 'human chain' to thank key workers as part of Clap for Carers

The community came out in force the full length of King Oswy Drive on Thursday April 23 after answering an appeal by organiser Kelly Fairless.

She put down crosses on the pavement at least two metres apart to stand on as people on both sides of the street came out of their homes and applauded, banged pots and pans for all the NHS and key workers leading the fight against coronavirus.

It was such a success, they are planning to do it all over again this week in what has been dubbed the West View Wave, and anyone who has not joined in so far is encouraged to do so.

Kelly, a mum of three, said: “I decided to create a human chain from the top of King Oswy Drive to the bottom to thank all the key workers and NHS and put it on Facebook.

“A lot of it is to lift the spirit of the community. We did it last week and it was a huge success so we’re going to do it again this week.

“I was very surprised at the turnout, it was absolutely brilliant. It was a great achievement to get everybody out and they were on the little marks I put on the road for the safe distancing.”

Kelly, a support worker for young adults with disabilities and challenging behaviour, hopes even more people will take part this week and help to fill in gaps on King Oswy Drive were there are no houses including around St Hild’s School and St John Vianney’s Church.

The impressive sight was captured on video by resident Cheryl Arnold, and shows people on both sides of the road joining in and making a noise.

Kelly added she thinks it was so successful as a number of NHS workers including nurses live in the vicinity.

Hartlepool residents have shown great support for the national initiative which has been running for several weeks now.

Last Thursday, 13-year-old Theo Woods raised over £6,000 for the NHS by clapping for 12 hours.

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