#weareyourNHS: our opportunity to say thank you

Spectacular rainbow floral and balloon installations by Early Hours London and Bubblegum Balloons thank the public for their support during the pandemic.

Rainbow shaped floral and balloon installations will be on display (23 April 2020) outside of University College Hospital, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street to reassure the public that the NHS is here for all patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cheryl Lobo, UCLH cancer doctor, along with her colleagues Joanna Franks and Sohier Elneil, were inspired by the public’s appreciation of NHS staff and donations to the UCLH Charity COVID-19 campaign to arrange the installations.

Cheryl said: "The public have been so generous in their support for the NHS. The clap for carers at 8pm every Thursday is moving for every member of our NHS family. We wanted to respond with our message of thanks and reassurance: we are here for you. We will do everything it takes to look after you."

Floral designers Early Hours London, Illusion Design and Construct Ltd and balloon artists Bubblegum Balloons designed and donated the rainbow installations.

Lizzie and Latoyah founders of Early Hours London said: "It has been an honour to work with the incredible UCLH team who are working tirelessly to care for the public throughout the pandemic. We've been blown away by the nation's fundraising efforts and working alongside Illusion Design & Construct Ltd have produced this large-scale floral rainbow which we hope will help to raise morale during these challenging times for the NHS staff and the public as well as boosting donations to the UCLH Charity."

Laura, Sally & Megan founders of Bubblegum Balloons said: "We were so delighted to be invited to help the incredible team at UCLH in returning the Thursday thank-you to the public with our biodegradable rainbow balloon installation. We've been overwhelmed with the way as a nation we've come together to get through this testing time and we hope this small act helps to give even a glimmer of joy to the public and the superhero NHS staff today. "

While University College Hospital has focused on treating COVID-19 patients, we continue to provide emergency care to all patients who need it. University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street is being managed to be Covid-free and is leading the north and east London cancer hub. Last month hundreds of lifesaving cancer operations were performed by hospitals that are part of the hub, meaning people are continuing to get cancer surgery. The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery is providing hyper acute stroke service as well as neurosurgery and caring for COVID-19 patients.

Professor Marcel Levi, CEO said: "Thursdays are a special day of the week. The public stand and thank key workers, in the NHS and in social care. It is really moving and inspirational. Being able to respond and thank the public for their support with these vibrant and joyful rainbows is fantastic. We are grateful to Early Hours and Bubblegum Balloons for donating their time and resources to create these amazing arches".

Cheryl Lobo, Joanna Franks and Sohier Elneir have also set up a justgiving page to support the UCLH Charity, the official charity of UCLH, who have set up Covid-19 fund. To donate visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Cheryl-lobo.