Local charity urges people to get behind NHS Big Tea event

The charity that supports Shropshire’s two acute hospitals is urging people and businesses to join the nation’s biggest tea break on 5 July and help raise awareness for the incredible people in our NHS who’ve done so much to help everyone get through the pandemic.

Following a year like no other, The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) Charity wants as many people as possible to get involved in a national outpouring of love and thanks for NHS staff and volunteers on its birthday by hosting or taking part in an NHS Big Tea at 3pm on 5 July.

Each event can be in person or virtual, with the community, friends, family or at work, and is a chance to reflect and say thank you for everything that NHS staff and volunteers have done and continue to do, by taking part in the nation’s biggest tea break to raise money for SaTH Charity.

People can host their own event or they can show their support by taking five minutes to enjoy a tea break, and they can also fundraise for SaTH Charity if they wish to.

Julia Clarke, Director of Corporate Services and Director of SaTH Charity, said: “This year, 5 July will mark the 73rd Birthday of the NHS. Since 5 July 1948, the NHS has been there for our public day in and day out. This year has shown just how import our healthcare system is to everyone. We have been fighting a war behind closed doors, a war no-one expected.

“Our staff have really been at the heart of the pandemic and we welcome and encourage the opportunity for a national thank you to our staff, we also encourage the public to thank all keyworkers who have kept people safe and the country still working, and to thank themselves as without their support and co-operation things could have been much worse.

“Please put it in your diary to take 5 minutes to ‘brew a national thank you’, and if you plan to fundraise, please do it for our charity as it will go directly to helping our staff and patients.”

Ellie Orton, CEO of NHS Charities Together, which is behind the NHS Big Tea, said: “Many of us have a lot to be grateful to NHS staff and volunteers for following the year we have had. They have been at the forefront of the response to one of the biggest challenges our country has ever faced.

“NHS Big Tea is chance to show our support for them by joining a national outpouring of thanks this July.

“For many, this will be an outpouring of joy, celebrating the vaccine and all that it is allowing us to do again. For others, it will be an outpouring of thanks, for everything that our NHS champions have done for us. For some, sadly, it will be a moment of reflection for the loss of loved ones.

“Whatever the emotion, please join the nation’s biggest tea break to raise money for the incredible people in our NHS.”

Thanks to the support and generosity of the public over the last year, NHS Charities have been able to be there for NHS staff, to ensure they can continue with their vital life-saving work, whether through funding counselling and mental health support, or support with practical needs, like food, drink and a place to rest.

To take part and get your pack, please visit www.sath.nhs.uk/about-us/charity/nhs-big-tea-nhs-73rd-birthday or email sath.charity@nhs.net 

SaTH Charity has used the funds they have received to make a real difference to the patients, affected friends and family, and members of staff at The Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal Hospitals, and are urging the public to take part in the NHS Big Tea and enable the charity to continue supporting NHS staff, volunteers and patients.