Since last Mother’s Day, the world has been on a rollercoaster of emotion. The rock of the family – the nation’s mums – have tried their best to remain up-beat throughout to keep their family positive.

Therefore, it’s unsurprising to learn that 54% of UK adults say the pandemic has made them realise just how much they appreciate their mums, according to new research from thortful.

As the UK continues to live with coronavirus restrictions, many of the population will not be able to celebrate in the usual way with a nice meal out (31%) this year. But that is no cause for concern or upset for the nation’s mums, as the top things they want out of Mother’s Day this year are simply quality time (59%), a card (42%), or a home-cooked meal (40%).

Deborah James, columnist and mother of two living with cancer says: “Covid, and for me Cancer, has reminded us even more of the value of family. For many of us, being able to see our mums or other loved ones has been top of our list all year. It’s reminded us something we perhaps once took for granted, is now one of the most special things we all dream of.”

While nearly 9.5 million (18%) of Brits will be separated and unable to meet on the day itself – the first time ever spending it apart for one in ten (10%) – 14% are choosing to celebrate the day over a video call instead. Meanwhile, only 16% admit they have yet to buy a card, but there are still a few days for them to make the necessary arrangements to ensure she has something to open this Sunday.

But it is not just mums we should be thanking this year, but mother figures more widely. Almost four in five (78%) say they are even more appreciative of the NHS because of the pandemic, seeing what staff have gone through to help us all, and two thirds (68%) feel the NHS has played a motherly, caring role over the last year.

It’s a good thing, then, that by using online greeting card marketplace thortful, the nation will be able to thank the NHS – as £110,000 worth of sales from Mother’s Day purchases will be donated to NHS Charities Together.

Deborah James, who is supporting thortful’s campaign to celebrate the NHS as the ‘Mother of the Nation’ explains: “I think it’s amazing that thortful have launched this campaign to raise money for NHS Charities Together and also to shed a light on the incredible role the NHS has played to us all over the past year, picking us up and supporting us like a mother. For me personally, I have experienced this firsthand. I rely on a brilliant team of people at the Royal Marsden hospital to keep me alive every week. To pick me up and put me back on my feet time and time again, after each challenge for my cancer is presented. Without them, I wouldn’t be here and especially not over the past year. I want to thank the NHS for everything they do each day for all of us.”

The online card company is donating 5p per Mother’s Day card sale and £5 of every Tulip Rainbow bouquet sold to NHS Charities Together (NHSCT), a charity which provides funds and support to the NHS and its frontline workers and volunteers every day. thortful has so far raised over £100,000 towards the £110,000 target to show its support for those who have worked tirelessly to provide essential care for the UK during these extraordinary times.