As Britain finds itself amidst a global pandemic and the nation passes another day in lockdown, it's more important than ever to celebrate the light in the darkness. Undoubtedly at the top of the list, you'll find the National Health Service. The pride of Britain, envied by countries worldwide and celebrated at the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, its workers - from doctors to nurses to hospitals cleaners and canteen staff - have been working tirelessly to help.
Now Saffron Barker, one of the country's most prominent YouTube stars and a former Strictly Come Dancing contestant, wants others in her industry to shed some light on - and raising money for - NHS workers. Here, she explains why.
'The NHS makes me so proud to be British. They’ve helped my family and I for years but the past month has made us all realise how incredible they really are. From the surgeons, nurses, doctors, paramedics, to hospital staff – they are all heroes and we have seen that every day through their selflessness and bravery. With everything going on at the moment, I wanted to do something to help. The #ClapForCarers campaign every Thursday night at 8pm is so emotional and made me think of ways that the online community could make a positive difference, so I came up with #YOUTUBERS4NHSHEROES.
On Saturday 11th April, I’ll be uploading my usual weekly video to YouTube and will be donating all of the advertising income it generates for the month of April to the NHS Charities Together COVID-10 appeal. NHS Charities Together brings together all the official charities of the NHS, and right now they are working with NHS England to support NHS staff and volunteers caring for COVID-19 patients. Their work relies on donations so it is hugely important that we all do our part.
I’m encouraging my fellow YouTubers to join me and do the same – upload a video of their choice and pledge the ad revenue to the appeal for this Super Saturday fundraising event. My hope is that together, we can join forces and encourage our followers (and the public) to watch our videos throughout April – especially the ads, as this will drive up the income to donate. We will then donate individually to the charity and share the official donation link across all of our platforms – the bigger the reach, the bigger the impact on donations for our NHS heroes.
We are so incredibly lucky to have the NHS. Whilst the majority of us are safely isolating at home, able to speak to our friends and family and passing the time in comfort, NHS workers and volunteers are putting their lives on the line every single day. So, my wish is that the funds raised from this campaign will help towards making life a little bit easier for them, and help keep them safe just as they do for us.
Absolutely anyone can get involved with this by spreading the word about the campaign on their own social platforms, telling friends and family and of course – watching the ads on our videos! We are all in this together, so let’s do what we can to help.'
Visit Saffron's YouTube channel here