To celebrate the NHS’s 73rd birthday, NHS Charities Together have created the Big Tea event on 5 July.
The event is a national celebration of the NHS and its amazing staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. Anyone can host a tea party, either in-person following the latest government Covid-19 guidelines, or virtually through video meeting platforms such as Zoom.
The organiser of the event, NHS Charities Together, is the national charity caring for the NHS. They are the national charity partner of the NHS and are made up of 240 NHS charity members based with hospitals, mental health, ambulance and community health services across the UK.
People and organisations across the country will be hosting small tea parties to raise money or simply taking a break and making a donation.
You can register on the Big Tea’s website where they will send you a free fundraising kit to help plan your event. Then all you have to do is enjoy the day and donate the cash raised, helping to support the NHS champions.
It is also encouraged to set up an online fundraiser, minimising the risk of Covid-19 transmission through cash handling.
Hayley Collis, Head of Fundraising for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity, said: “We would love people in our community to get involved in the NHS Big Tea in July to say thank you to our NHS heroes. You can host an event or simply raise a cuppa and make a donation.
“Our NHS staff in Bradford have had a very tough year. They continued to care for patients all the way through the pandemic, giving their absolute all.
“The war on Covid has taken its toll on all our staff and so, as the NHS charity which works in partnership with Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, we have stepped up to support them in any way we can.”
Staff at Bradford Teaching Hospitals will be encouraged to take a break at 3 pm on 5 July, where possible, and they will be provided with tea break treats and a number of giveaways as a gesture of appreciation.
All money raised by Bradford Hospitals’ Charity, the official charity partner of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, will go to its NHS Hospital Heroes Appeal, which is used to support staff.
Collis went on to say that: “Funds we raised as part of our previous NHS Heroes campaign have paid for staff wellbeing areas and items, such as white goods and furniture, a peer support programme and self-care items.
“It has also funded medical equipment which has enabled clinicians to diagnose and treat patients quicker and more efficiently, and technology to ensure patients could keep in touch with their loved ones during lockdown. We’ve invested the money to make everyone’s lives that little bit easier.
“All money raised as part of the NHS Big Tea will go to our NHS Hospital Heroes Appeal, which will be used to support staff wellbeing. We’re currently looking at plans to create outdoor spaces and gardens for our staff, to give them somewhere to rest, reflect and recharge.”
Every pound (up to £50k) is being matched by Alpro, the plant-based dairy alternative brand, doubling the difference raised.
To join with the Big Tea party, you can visit here to request your donation pack, visit here to set up a virtual fundraiser, or visit here to donate money to Bradford’s Hospital charity directly.
You can also give a birthday gift to the NHS by text by messaging TEA to 70207 to give £5*.
*T&Cs: By texting TEA to 70607 you are agreeing to NHS Charites Together contacting you by phone and SMS. You will be charged £5, plus one message at your standard network rate. NHS Charities Together will receive 100% of your donation. Registered charity number 1186569. To give £5 and optout of future contact text TEANO to 70607.
