Call to people along East Coast to support NHS Big Tea to thank staff for work through pandemic - here's how you can join in

York Teaching Hospital 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.

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 our hospitals on the East Coast which includes Scarborough and Bridlington.

People can sign up now to host an NHS Big Tea, and receive a free fundraising pack by visiting www.york.nhs.uk/bigteaPeople can also show their support without hosting an event on July 5, the anniversary of the NHS, by taking five minutes to enjoy a tea break, texting TEA to 70470 to donate £5 and tagging five friends on social media and calling on them to do the same.

Lucy Clegg, fundraising manager at York Teaching Hospital Charity, said: “We’ve been proud to support staff and patients across York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust throughout one of the most challenging years in the history of the NHS.

"Every day, donations are making a positive difference and every extra pound raised NHS Big Tea will help us continue to make improvements small and large in our hospitals locally.”

Ellie Orton, CEO of NHS Charities Together, which is behind the NHS Big Tea nationally, 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.