PIN YOUR THANKS
‘The People’s Medal’
Designed by Icons
For the launch, #PinYourThanks has teamed up with well-known figures from the world of music, sport, art and design - Keira Knightley, Ringo Starr, Joe Lycett, David James MBE, Dame Sarah Storey and Anoushka Shankar - to design their own unique pin badge. In addition, a special in-house designed pin badge is available to give, known as ‘The Original’
Keira Knightley designed two flying birds swooping together into a near heart shape on her pin badge while Sir Ringo Starr put a peace symbol inside a love heart in his design.
Knightley said: ‘It feels very important to say “thank you” to all the NHS workers, carers and others, who have done and continue to do such an incredible job through this time of crisis’. Comedian Joe Lycett, the newest ‘National treasure’ drew a thumbs up image with the words ‘Cheers Bab’ in rainbow colours while Dame Sarah added the rainbow into a bike, that she so known for.
Over the course of the year, #PinYourThanks will be expanding the collection with a number of imaginative new pin badge designs as well as interested events and other limited editions (watch out for Ian and Jenny’s collaboration!).
Co-founder Jenny Beavan OBE, Academy Award-winning costume designer, acting as Creative Director for #PinYourThanks adds: “We are looking forward to collaborating with other members of the arts community to create even more exciting and innovative ways for people to express personal gratitude to their local heroes and raise money for charity”.
The clapping Hands by Ian Berry has gone from a piece of art made in denim, to a projection that went around the world, a mural, and now a pin badge.
Ian was invited to design a badge by Jenny Beavan and Clive Little unbeknown to them that he had been projecting the Clapping Hands on to various buildings.
‘I was just about to reveal the Clapping Hands when the contact came and then I showed them what I was doing. In many ways it became the most natural project I have ever worked on. I get asked to do many initiatives but as my work takes a long time to make I never can react, but here, I had something ready to go and both ideas came from the same place and heart.’ Ian said.
Double Academy winning Ms Beavan, “The original idea around the designs was that it was all about hands, hearts and stars because the hands do the physical caring, the heart is there to give and receive and also because all these people are stars.
“What I love about all the badges is that I just think they are all little glowing pieces of art.”
Ms Beavan added that working on the pin project left her “very humbled” by the impact of Covid-19 and how people have come together to help each other.
“Saying thank you really does mean something and I always find I am curious when people do not say it. I think they are two of the most important words right now,” she explained.
What a fitting way to launch, with a projection!
To launch the pins, there was a new projection, on the South Bank at Royal Festival Hall in the shadow of the London Eye. The iconic building glowed with the #iclapfor Clapping Hands to start it off… then for something new. It morphed into the new pin badge that has on the hands that have touched so many buildings around the world. Then came more, Kiera Knightley, Sir Ringo Starr, Dame Sarah Storey, Joe Lycett, David James MBE, Anoushka Shankar and Bille Temple’s who brilliant design worked framed it all and encapsulated the project - along with couple more surprises! Click through to find out more and buy!
Clive Little, co-founder of #PinYourThanks, said: ‘We wanted to create something that would allow people to show their personal and heartfelt appreciation to their local heroes, from helpful neighbours or supportive friends, to local community volunteers, care workers and NHS staff.’
One way to show your thanks to those we clap for in this time
All profits go to NHS Charities Together and Volunteering Matters.
“We are immensely grateful to have the support from #PinYourThanks in raising money for NHS Charities Together and helping the public give unsung heroes a long-lasting thank you. Donations from the organisation will be used by NHS charities to support staff volunteers and patients impacted by COVID-19”
Ellie Orton, Chief Executive of NHS Charities Together
“We are delighted to support the #PinYourThanks initiative. People volunteering their time to help each other in communities throughout the UK has saved countless lives in the most difficult of circumstances. We have a lot to be thankful for to the huge numbers of people volunteering to keep us all safe and well, and #PinYourThanks is such a simple, visible and effective way we can all pass on our gratitude to the individuals who have made our lives that much easier in difficult times.”
Paul Reddish, Chief Executive of Volunteering Matters