Bradford Hospitals Charity celebrates NHS70 with NHS Big 7Tea

People across Bradford clinked tea cups  to celebrate 70 years of the NHS.

The NHS Big7Tea – organised by NHS charities around the UK – has seen people up and down the country come together to toast 70 years of the NHS.

Across Bradford people drank tea and ate cake with friends, family and colleagues to mark the occasion and support Bradford Hospitals’ Charity.

Tea brings us all together. It breaks down social boundaries, and like the NHS and NHS charities, is a symbol of comfort and community.

Staff at sites across Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust made a big effort to celebrate with tea parties and bake sales. From the Children’s Community Team and Adult Outpatients at St Luke’s Hospital, to ENT, A&E, Children and Young People’s Unit, library and several wards all around Bradford Royal Infirmary. Everyone broke out the bunting and toasted the NHS, while raising money for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity

Hayley Collis, Head of Fundraising for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity, said: “We are thrilled that NHS charities such as ours are benefiting from these wonderful celebrations.

“We work in partnership with Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (BTHFT) to support vital equipment, training and research.

“If you want to do more to support your beloved NHS, please get in touch. We have opportunities for fundraising and volunteering, and of course you can make a one-off donation if you wish. All money raised directly benefits Bradford patients.”

There are more than 250 NHS charities across the UK. Most of them focus on helping our hospitals do more. In recent years, NHS charities have funded major capital projects, pioneering research and medical equipment at our hospitals that could not and should not be funded by the NHS. Across the UK they help patients access the best possible care when they need it most.

NHS charities also play a key role in mobilising volunteers to support NHS staff, brightening wards and waiting areas with colourful and engaging art and building an important link between our hospitals and our communities.

Last year, Bradford Hospitals’ Charity contributed around £300,000 to the brand new hospital wing at Bradford Royal Infirmary. The money went towards specialist equipment for children with additional needs, a multi-sensory room, toys and art equipment for young patients, parent beds, furniture, artwork and dementia friendly items.

Karen Dawber, Chief Nurse at BTHFT, said: “Bradford Hospitals’ Charity plays an important role in supporting our hospital care and services. We aim to provide the very best for patients and Bradford Hospitals’ Charity enables us to do this. I would encourage all our staff and the public to get behind our wonderful charity.”

There is still time to host your own tea party. To download your free NHS Big 7Tea pack visit www.bradfordhospitalscharity.org/nhs70

To make a donation to Bradford Hospitals’ Charity’s NHS Big 7Tea campaign, visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/bradfordteachinghospital/nhsbig7tea or text NHSB22 and the amount you want to donate to 70070.

You can also support Bradford Hospitals’ Charity by getting behind a special single that aims to celebrate the 70th birthday of the NHS, break a world record, and raise funds for NHS charities across the UK. Produced by Brit award-winning John Cohen, it which will feature an array of stars from across the last seven decades including Seal, Beverley Knight, Guy Garvey and many more.

The charity single will be released on 6 July. All proceeds will go to the NHS Charities Together. For more information and regular updates visit www.nhsvoices.com.

Photos taken from all the NHS Big 7Tea parties are available to view at @BTHFTcharity, Facebook (BradfordHospitalsCharity) or Instagram (@Bradfodhospitalscharity).

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITOR:

To find out more about Bradford Hospitals’ Charity, visit www.bradfordhospitalscharity.org, email [email protected] or call 01274 274809.

Twitter: @BTHFTCharity, Facebook: bradfordhospitalscharity, Instagram: @bradfordhospitalscharity