PEOPLE in the North-East and across the country are adding blue hearts to their names on Twitter to show support for the NHS.
NHS millions, a group which supports the work of the NHS and is run by NHS staff, launched the initiative, alongside the hashtag #NHSBlueHeart as a way to show solidarity with healthcare workers.
Launching the initiative on Twitter, the group wrote: "We are devastated by the abuse NHS staff are getting on Twitter.
"Staff need your support now more than ever. If you stand with the NHS and its staff please you will help turn Twitter blue and pop an #NHSblueheart on your name on your profile.
"Let’s get this trending, pls RT!"
We are devastated by the abuse NHS staff are getting on Twitter. Staff need your support now more than ever. If you stand with the NHS and its staff please you will help turn Twitter blue and pop an #NHSblueheart 💙 on your name on your profile 🙏🏻 Let’s get this trending, pls RT! pic.twitter.com/XQUZU7u0B6
— NHS Million 💙 (@NHSMillion) January 6, 2021
Thousands have backed the appeal to show solidarity, with the tweet seeing 7,100 retweets, 1,500 quote tweets and 10,600 likes from accounts across the country.
People are also urged to leave messages of support for the NHS under #NHSBlueHeart - a hashtag that, according to the group, was trending within minutes of the appeal.
People from across the North-East have voiced their support, including NHS workers themselves.
An account tagging South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust said it was "wonderful" to be vaccinating trust staff.
Wonderful to spend some time today vaccinating our amazing staff @STSFTrust with @Fox4Ann #NHSblueheart
— Rob Common💙 (@rbcmmn) January 7, 2021
Other accounts shone a light on the treatment of frontline workers, while one paid tribute to his mum.
I’ve put a 💙 next to my Twitter name to show I stand with our NHS workers and am appalled by the abuse they are inexplicably receiving. This pandemic is hard. Let’s be grateful to those risking everything to help us. And let’s be kind. #NHSblueheart
— Thomas Lyon🌻💙 (@ThomasLyon93) January 7, 2021
Don't normally jump on trends but I've put the blue heart in my name for all those who work for the NHS, especially for my mam. #NHSblueheart
— David Callaghan 💙 (@skirtle19) January 6, 2021
I’ve put a 💙 blue heart in my name to show I’m supporting our NHS heroes, and to say there’s no room for abuse on social media. Well done @sbattrawden #NHSblueheart
— Ross Larkin 💙 (@rosslarkin) January 6, 2021
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here