We made it: We aren’t sure how, but we did.
There are so many thank yous we need to issue this morning.
To Honor Barber at Change, for all they’ve done, along with colleagues, to make yesterday happen.
To Layla Moran, Debbie Abrahams, Deidre Brock, Christine Jardine, Alistair Carmichael and Jamie Stone for supporting us yesterday, as well as the whole APPG team for their work and support.
To the Royal College of Nursing for their support and hospitality.
To all the wonderful media people, including Ruth Liptrot, Catherine Burns and their teams, the Mirror team, the RCN, Nursing Standard and Nursing Times - too many people to mention by name!
To the Long Covid Advocacy and Long Covid SOS supporters, as well as SOS NHS (sorry if that’s not right) who came out. Special mention to supporters who came from Wales and West Yorkshire to be with us! And Dr Asad Khan, fellow long Covid patient and advocate - meeting him was a real honour.
And to Rachel’s husband, Gordon, who, when we were stuck in gridlocked traffic, marshalled everyone and got them to Downing Street.
And to police, who when we missed our Downing Street slot, were amazing and facilitated us coming in late. Special mention to Becky!
I was privileged to be the one to knock on the door of Number 10 and I was LOUD! I hope the Prime Minister heard us.
It was surreal to be interviewed on the steps of Number 10, where so much history has happened and been made. It’s still not quite real.
Our final thank you is to YOU. We wouldn’t have achieved this at all without your support. We could not have done this. For all of you in the same position - we think they’re starting to listen. MPs are on our side. And to the hundred or so of you whose emails arrived in Debbie Abrahams’ inbox asking her to support us yesterday - we see too. Thank you.
This is the end of this phase, but it’s not the last stop on the journey. We have to rest and regroup, but you’ll hear from us soon.
Thank you. Really. We are beyond grateful.
Cass, Rachel, Sarah, Aimee and all at Team Keyworker Petition UK