Big 7Tea celebrations across the Trust mark 70 years of the NHS
Big 7Tea celebrations across the Trust mark 70 years of the NHS
13 July 2018
Up and down the country, hospital staff and volunteers joined patients, visitors and NHS supporters to raise a cuppa and recognise 70 years of the health service.
Teams across a range of different specialties laid on a spread of cakes, scones and sandwiches for their guests, and dished out cups of tea to mark the landmark occasion.
The nationwide campaign is expected to raise thousands of pounds for NHS charities like Imperial Health Charity, which will invest the proceeds in healthcare projects across the Trust’s five hospitals.
In recent years the charity has worked in partnership with the Trust to fund major redevelopments, clinical research and medical equipment, as well as helping vulnerable patients at times of extreme financial crisis.
The NHS Big 7Tea has also generated wider interest in the work of NHS charities, with the proceeds from the NHS Choir charity single –‘With a Little Help From My Friends’ – going towards their work.
There was excitement here at the Trust as well, with the 5 July edition of ITV’s ‘This Morning’ broadcast live from Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea hospitals.
Presenters Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield joined maternity staff on Edith Dare ward for a tea party celebration live on air, before visiting the team at Hammersmith’s Heart Attack Centre.
Other celebrities who backed the NHS Big 7Tea campaign included Paloma Faith, Edith Bowman, Mylene Klass, Dave Berry, Stacey Solomon and Amanda Holden.
Ian Lush, Chief Executive of Imperial Health Charity, said: “We were thrilled to see so many teams across the Trust getting behind the Big 7Tea. The simple act of getting together and putting the kettle on was the perfect way to celebrate 70 years of our fantastic health service.
“The Big 7Tea campaign has been a huge success and will enable us to help our hospitals do even more in the future. On behalf of the whole team at Imperial Health Charity, thank you to everyone who hosted a party or made a donation. Happy birthday to the NHS!”
The NHS Big 7Tea was organised by NHS Charities Together – an informal group of more than 130 NHS charities that came together to celebrate the 70th anniversary and raise awareness of the work they do.
