The story behind the rainbow ribbons spotted around Washington supporting the NHS and lifting community spirits

A husband and wife florist team have been raising spirits during the coronavoris lockdown by literally adding a splash of colour to their community.
By Sam Johnson
Published 8th May 2020, 06:00 BST
Gavin and Janice Lawrence have been placing rainbow ribbons all over the communityGavin and Janice Lawrence have been placing rainbow ribbons all over the community
Gavin and Janice Lawrence have been placing rainbow ribbons all over the community

Janice and Gavin Lawrence, who own Eleganza Florist in Washington, have been making rainbow-coloured ribbons and hanging them up around Washington to show their support for the NHS and brighten up the area during the lockdown.

The husband and wife team are hoping the ribbons will catch people’s imaginations and are encouraging those who come across any to take pictures and share them on social media.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Janice and Gavin have been putting the ribbons up while out on their daily walks delivering flowers.

Gavin and Janice Lawrence have been placing rainbow ribbons all over the communityGavin and Janice Lawrence have been placing rainbow ribbons all over the community
Gavin and Janice Lawrence have been placing rainbow ribbons all over the community

Gavin said: “We started off by making these rainbow ribbons and putting them on the front of our cars, just to show our support for our amazing NHS. Then I just thought, we can have a bit of fun with this. I thought why not just randomly put a rainbow on a lamppost, a road sign, a roundabout, anywhere really.

“Then when people are out and about and they spot them they can comment or take a photo, or just have a smile and think, ‘that’s that fella reminding us about the NHS’”

The simple gesture has already caught the eye of the community, with Gavin already seeing comments online of people taking pictures and asking where the ribbons came from.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He added: “We work hard and we love to enjoy and share little things with the community.”

Gavin and Janice Lawrence have been placing rainbow ribbons all over the communityGavin and Janice Lawrence have been placing rainbow ribbons all over the community
Gavin and Janice Lawrence have been placing rainbow ribbons all over the community

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Gavin and Janice Lawrence have been placing rainbow ribbons all over the communityGavin and Janice Lawrence have been placing rainbow ribbons all over the community
Gavin and Janice Lawrence have been placing rainbow ribbons all over the community

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

How to subscribe to the print edition

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of. Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.

Related topics:NHSWashington