This was the scene at Great Western Hospital last night as scores of staff members and curious onlookers watched as the Marlborough Road hospital was lit up.

Swindon firm Corporate Events staged the free event for GWH staff as a thank you for their heroic efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

The hour-long show saw messages of support projected on the side of the hospital. There was an eerie silence as doctors, nurses and paramedics read the powerful messages left by donors and grateful patients.

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Corporate Events managing director Andy Ashley said: “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to give something back, really.

“We’ve all seen the Clap for Carers and what an amazing job the NHS is doing for us. We thought this was an opportunity to give something back and recognise what they’ve done.”

Catherine Newman, head of fundraising at GWH, added: “It’s a nice end to the Clap for Carers nationally, so it’s really nice we can do it big and bold here.

“We were approached by Corporate Events to do it for us and we thought why not, it’ll look amazing.”

Earlier in the evening paramedics, police officers, well-wishers and a giant B&Q lorry turned out for what is likely to be the final Clap for Carers event.

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