Leeds says a ‘Big Thank You’ to their Winter Heroes
Mar 12
Since launching on 6th December last year, NHS campaign, The Big Thank You has received over 1000 messages of thanks from people across Leeds.
Created with Leeds NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, the Big Thank You campaign aims to spread positivity across Leeds by encouraging the public to say thanks to someone who has helped them during winter. So far, the people of Leeds have thanked everyone from NHS staff, friends and family, to neighbours and work colleagues and even strangers.
Carla from Cross Gates thanked A&E staff for saving her son’s life following an accident involving a bus.
“My son and I would like to say a massive thank you to Mr Sugarman, Mr Turner and Mr Kanakaris – those surgeons, their colleagues and all the staff in A&E were amazing throughout. We are forever in your debt. Words cannot express how grateful we are.”
Others took the opportunity to thank strangers for their random acts of kindness. Chris from Hyde Park thanked a fellow Leeds citizen for being kind enough to find his missing keys:
“A really big thank you to the lady at Kirkstall Bridge Shopping Park for finding my keys and using her detective skills to track me down and return them. Me and the kids would have been absolutely stuffed if I’d lost those keys!”
As well as celebrating the kindness of friends, family and neighbours, the campaign recognises the valuable work of voluntary organisations, care workers, NHS staff and all those who help look after our communities. Many ‘Big Thank You’s have reflected this, thanking doctors, nurses and wards in Leeds’ hospitals:
Another Leeds resident Laura, thanked staff at Leeds General Infirmary:
“I want to say a Big Thank You to Mr Simpson and the Maternity Team for saving my life after a Post-Partum Haemorrhage just over 4 years ago. Myself and the family will always be so grateful and their amazing work will always be in my thoughts.”
Members of the public can say their ‘Big Thank You’ online or by posting it through the Big Thank You post box making an appearance at local events and community centres across the city. Since the campaign began in December last year, the post box has visited a number of different locations including Kirkgate Market, Chapel Allerton and St James’ hospitals, University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University, and thank yous have been collected from a number of Leeds City Councillors.
Many of the ‘Big Thank You’s submitted are also currently being displayed on the Millennium Square widescreen, giving the public a chance to see their ‘Big Thank You’s displayed publicly on the big screen.
As well as saying a ‘Big Thank You’, many people have also pledged to be a ‘Winter Hero’. Specifically, they have pledged to get the flu jab, to look out for their neighbours or anyone vulnerable and to make sure they keep their homes well heated.
To find out more about the campaign or say your Big Thank You, visit: bigthankyouleeds.co.uk
