01 Jul 2021
Join us for a brew to celebrate the 73rd birthday of the NHS and raise a mug to thank NHS workers
On the Monday 5 July, NHS St Helens CCG is joining NHS Charities Together to take a tea or coffee break like no other – and you can join us.
The NHS Big Tea is back, and this year will be a chance for people, communities and businesses to come together for a national outpouring of love to thank NHS staff and each other for the huge role they have played over the last year. At 3pm, we’ll be stopping to share our heartfelt gratitude to every NHS clinician, nurse, support worker, hospital porter and paramedic who’s put themselves on the line this year to keep us and our loved ones safe.
When we last held the NHS Big Tea in 2019 there were hundreds of events in hospitals, ambulance services, community and mental health trusts across the UK.
This year, staff at NHS St Helens CCG will be helping to break the record by holding either a virtual or physical event and raising a mug in collective thanks at 3pm.
The birthday is part of three days of events to mark the NHS birthday including a Thank You Day on Sunday 4 July organised by the Together Coalition as last year and a thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on Monday 5 July to which Dr Hilary Flett, GP and clinical lead for the vaccination roll out in St Helens has been invited to represent the borough.
A number of landmarks across the borough will also be lit up in NHS blue on both Saturday 3 and Monday 5 July – including the Steve Prescott Bridge, the Town Hall clock face and the Saints rugby stadium which has been the base of the vaccination clinics since last December.
Geoffrey Appleton, Chair of NHS St Helens CCG, said: “This year is the 73rd birthday of the founding of the NHS and I have encouraged all our staff to take some time out to reflect on the past year and raise a mug to all their colleagues.
“I have shared my personal thanks with NHS staff both at the CCG, as well as our colleagues in primary care and at the hospital and mental health trusts who have worked tirelessly during the pandemic, often putting their patients - the people of St Helens - before themselves.
It has been a challenging year for our NHS staff and their colleagues in the care sector, but everyone has played their part. We have lots to be hopeful and thankful for including the roll out of the vaccination programme which would not have happened without the skill and dedication of so many who really deserve our thanks.”
You can join NHS staff across the country and take part in the Big Tea Break - and help raise money for NHS Charities by raising a mug at 3pm and asking for donations.
Join the thousands of others including Captain Tom who have collectively raised £150 million by registering your fundraising via the link:
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/giving/NHSCharitiesCOVID19/
NHS Big Tea, Ellie Orton, CEO of NHS Charities Together said:
“After so many months of isolation for many, The NHS Big Tea is a chance for everyone to join up with friends, family and neighbours, for communities to come together and thank NHS staff and each other for everything they have done over the past year, all while having a great time and raising vital funds to support NHS staff, volunteers and patients.
Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for England said:
“I am incredibly proud of our health and care staff for their extraordinary work, continuing to treat tens of thousands of patients alongside delivering the biggest and most successful vaccination programme in NHS history, in a year like no other.
“The NHS Big Tea is a great reminder that it is important to look after ourselves and I want to thank NHS Charities Together for helping everyone to take a moment to reflect.”
Over the last 14 months thanks to the amazing support of the public for our health and care sector, NHS Charities Together has been able to make a huge difference. Working with and through our member NHS charities we have made an extra £125million available for additional resources for the health and wellbeing of staff and patients.