Words by Riley Fitzgerald
Graphic by Press

Ringo Starr has designed a charity badge to thank COVID-19 healthcare workers and volunteers.

The Beatle‘s design arrives as part of the #PinYourThanks campaign, a volunteer led-initiative purpose with raising money for NHS Charities Together and Volunteering Matters.

Other notable figures who have contributed include Keira Knightly, daughter of Ravi Shankar Anoushka Shankar, and UK comedian Joe Lycett.

“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,” Keira Knightley shares of the project.

Each pin was designed in collaboration with Oscar-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan.

“The original idea around the designs was that it was all about hands, hearts, and stars because the hands do the physical caring,” Beavan explains, “the heart is there to give and receive and also because all these people are stars…  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.”

Pin Your Thanks notes that the gifting of a pin is not just limited to healthcare workers.

They also encourage those interested to purchase the badges for teachers, sons, daughters, aunties, uncles, friends, neighbors, and others who have been selflessly supported others during the pandemic.

Starr, who spent several years of his childhood in hospitals due to appendicitis and tuberculosis, is no doubt sympathetic to the cause.

The full range of the designs here.

Ringo Starr and All Starr Band 2021 Tour Dates

Casino Rama, Rama, Ontario New date TBA   Previously May 29, 2020

Casino Rama, Rama, Ontario New date TBA, Previously May 30, 2020

Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ New June 1,  Previously June 14, 2020

Boch Center Wang Theatre, Boston, MA New June 3 with The Avett Brothers,  Previously June 10, 2020

Bank of NH Pavilion, Gilford, NH New June 5 with The Avett Brothers, Previously June 11, 2020

State Theatre, Easton PA New June 7, Previously June 6, 2020

Beacon Theater, New York, NY  New June 8, Previously June 2, 2020

Beacon Theater, New York, NY  New June 9, Previously June 9, 2020

Beacon Theater, New York, NY  New June 11, Previously June 5, 2020

Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ New June 12, Previously June 7, 2020

Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence, RI New June 13, Previously June 13, 2020

Modell Lyric Theatre, Baltimore, MD New June 15,  Previously June 16, 2020

Modell Lyric Theatre, Baltimore, MD New June 16, Previously June 17, 2020

PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA New June 18, Previously June 20, 2020

Tanglewood, Lenox, MA New June 19, Previously June 19, 2020

Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, PA New June 20, Previously June 21, 2020

Cobb Energy Centre, Atlanta, GA New June 22, Previously June 23, 2020

Cobb Energy Centre, Atlanta, GA New June 23, Previously June 24, 2020

St Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL New June 25, Previously June 26, 2020

Hard Rock Casino, Hollywood, FL New June 26, Previously June 27, 2020

Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL New June 27,  Previously June 28, 2020