Emotions ran high at Wimbledon yesterday – and not just due to Andy Murray’s battle to match victory – as a rather special greeting card stole the ‘centre court’ limelight.
A giant thank you card, featuring the artwork of Charlie Mackesy (author and illustrator of the highly-acclaimed book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse) and including designs created by schools, was unveiled by Tim Henman, OBE, AELTC Director (pictured above) to give the 2021 tennis championships a Thank You theme and support Thank You Day, which takes place for the first time this Sunday (July 4).
Thank You Day, an idea which was started by 13 individuals from different corners of the UK (who formed The Together Initiative) to encourage others to show gratitude to those who have made a difference to our lives during the pandemic has garnered huge support from hundreds of organisations and celebrities, including the NHS and the Royal Voluntary Service, M&S, Asda, the Sun, The Mirror, McDonalds, HSBC UK, Unilever, JCDecaux UK, O2, PwC, the National Citizens Service and the Scouts, UK Music and UK Sport.
Click below to see some special thank yous…
As part of the build-up to the day, each class in every school across the UK was invited to create their own thank you card, some of which were reproduced to appear inside the giant card that was showcased at Wimbledon yesterday and signed by some of the leading tennis players.
M&S’ support includes producing a limited edition Thank You Day card and bag, featuring the design by Charlie Mackesy, as well as creating a point of sale promotion around BBQ and picnic lines ahead of the day.
Asda is running a week long campaign for its staff, including a thank you and celebration wall in every store, depot and office, a special double colleague discount event and the Big Asda Picnic over the weekend of the 2-4 July (a celebration free picnic for all stores and depot colleagues).
Over 16 million Brits are planning to take part in the country’s first ever national thank you day.
Thousands of events are being planned across the country, including a ‘Power Hour’ with mass community tidy ups (supported by The Wombles), Big Lunches, ‘Cheers for Volunteers’ moments, and a BB-Thank-Q – the nation’s biggest ever Cook Out led by Levi Roots.
Hear from Levi Roots about the BB-Thank-Q…
Other activities include…
Musicians Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Jamie Cullum, The Feeling and cast of the hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie recorded a rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s Don’t Stop hit to mark Thank You Day.
Over 3,000 pubs and breweries have already pledged to serve a Cheers for Volunteers Beer at locals across the UK and the campaign is supported by the British Beer and Pub Association and the Society of British Breweries.
Virgin Media O2 have created a £500,000 Together fund for communities wanting to mark the day and will be thanking their own colleagues who have kept the communications infrastructure going through the lockdown.
JCDecaux UK has been collaborating with Thank You Day to promote the day and drive visibility through its digital Out-of-Home screens.
HSBC UK is directly thanking their customers through frontline staff, radio, digital and more. HSBC UK will also be engaging with their communities including more than 70 schools across the West Midlands, its sustainability communications networks, and charity partners promoting involvement in and support for Thank You Day.
As Mike Cherry of the Federation Small Businesses summed up: “Despite the terrible impacts of Covid-19 which have affected us all, the crisis has demonstrated the power of people coming together to overcome adversity and to contribute to the national effort. I know so many small businesses will be using this opportunity to say thank you to their staff and customers. I want to add my thanks to the small businesses themselves throughout the UK who have gone above and beyond to be there for their communities throughout this crisis. Their imagination, resilience, ingenuity and flexibility have been an inspiration to see. I would urge people throughout the UK to get involved in Thank You Day on 4th July and use this opportunity to say a massive thank you to all who have helped.”
Top: Tim Henman OBE on Henman Hill with the giant thank you card.
