Raise your cuppa to thank our NHS this July

Bradford Hospitals’ Charity is inviting people across the city to clink cups next month in celebration of our health service’s 74th birthday.

The NHS Big Tea involves more than 150 NHS charities across the UK and is co-ordinated by NHS Charities Together.

The event – on or around 5 July – is an opportunity to give thanks to our NHS workforce while raising funds to provide extras for patients and staff. Both NHS staff and the public are encouraged to celebrate by making time for tea – another national treasure!

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Martin Love, will be showing his support for our NHS by raising a cuppa to mark its birthday. Cllr Love has chosen Bradford’s BIG Neonatal Appeal – run by Bradford Hospitals’ Charity – for his Lord Mayor’s Appeal this year.

Bradford Hospitals’ Charity is the official NHS charity partner of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

“I’m very proud to be raising money for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity this year, as the NHS charity embarks on its journey to raise £3million to create extra accommodation for parents in the Neonatal Unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary,” said Cllr Love.

“I applaud all of our NHS staff for their commitment and dedication, and for making it the national treasure it is today.”

Hayley Collis, Head of Fundraising for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity, said: “We always look forward to celebrating our wonderful NHS each July. It’s a special time when we reflect on how fortunate we are, and we pay tribute to our incredible staff. What better way to mark the birthday than with a nice cup of tea and a piece of cake while we raise money to help our Trust do more for patients and staff.”

Bradford Hospitals’ Charity funds equipment, training, research and projects which are over and above what the NHS provides. In recent years, more than £150,000 has been raised to transform radiology services at both Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital, to make them more child-friendly. The charity’s emergency Covid-19 NHS Hospital Heroes Appeal raised £416,000 to fund staff psychological support, and wellbeing projects and rest room items for Bradford Teaching Hospitals staff. The current major appeal – Bradford’s BIG Neonatal Appeal – aims to raise £3million to build extra accommodation for parents to stay close to their babies while they are being cared for in the Neonatal Unit.

Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive at NHS Charities Together, said: “The NHS can’t face every challenge alone, and the network of NHS charities is proud to have funded hundreds of incredible projects supporting staff, patients and communities. By hosting tea parties and inviting your friends, colleagues or classmates, the NHS Big Tea allows us to come together and say an enormous thank you to our incredible NHS – especially after all they’ve been through these last two years, and the ongoing challenges they continue to face.

“So, whether at home, in the office or in school, we’re asking the nation to pop the kettle on, grab the biscuits, and raise vital funds to help the NHS go further this July.”

Amanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Executive, said: “No one in the country has been untouched by the events of the last two years and NHS staff along with our wonderful volunteers, workers who kept our shops and public services running and those who kept schools and offices open across the country are no exception.

“The NHS Big Tea is an excellent opportunity for communities to come together and pay tribute to brilliant staff and volunteers, who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic to keep us and our loved ones safe.

“The effects of the pandemic are still being felt even as the NHS and the country now looks to recover and rebuild, so the continued support of local communities remains as vital as it is hugely appreciated.”

If you, your nursery, school, or community organisation would like to host your own NHS Big Tea, please visit the Bradford Hospitals’ Charity website (https://bradfordhospitalscharity.org/nhs-big-tea/)
where you can download posters and register your event.

For an informal chat about taking part, please call the Bradford Hospitals’ Charity team on 01274 274809.

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