Coronavirus: Paramedic's neighbours give round of applause as she leaves home for night shift

A film of the 22-year-old healthcare worker leaving her house has since gone viral

Olivia Petter
Saturday 28 March 2020 09:21 EDT
Comments
(Facebook/Ali Porter)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A young paramedic was greeted by a round of applause from her neighbours when she left home on Thursday to work a night shift.

In a short film posted on Facebook, Tayla Porter, 22, is seen leaving her Basingstoke home for her shift at Basingstoke and North Hampshire hospital.

As she leaves the front door and makes her way to the car, Ms Porter’s entire street is seen and heard clapping loudly and cheering her on.

The emergency care assistant is visibly overwhelmed with emotion at the sight of her neighbours.

There was also a homemade cake and a packet of Cadbury’s Miniature Heroes chocolates waiting for Ms Porter on the top of her car.

Ms Porter’s mother, Ali, shared a video of the event on Facebook.

“I just love where we live,” she wrote.

“Everyone in our street united to wave Tayla off on her paramedic shift tonight just the boost she needed.

“The Heroes chocolates and homemade cake were a lovely touch too.”

Ali added that the applause could be heard all the way up their road.

The video has been viewed more than 1.6 million times, while Ali’s post has garnered more than 64,000 shares and thousands of comments.

“Wow. That made me cry!” wrote one person. “Great job, Tayla. My son is a paramedic too. So proud.”

Ms Porter’s father, Phil, also commented, writing: “Very proud of my daughter and truly lost for words for my neighbours in Queens Road and ours coming out to show their appreciation of the great effort of the NHS and their dedicated staff.”

The street-wide clap for Ms Porter comes after the national “Clap for our Carers” event saw people around the country stand outside their homes to applaud the UK’s healthcare workers who are fighting to save those with COVID-19.

Similar events have been held in Europe, with citizens on lockdown in France and Italy standing on their balconies to applauding medical staff.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in