Local NHS charity urges people to help NHS go further by joining NHS Big Tea

On Tuesday 5th July, Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity is inviting people in in their local communities to join the biggest NHS tea party yet by hosting their own NHS Big Tea on the health service’s 74th birthday.

Led by NHS Charities Together, the NHS Big Tea brings the nation together to celebrate the birthday of our beloved NHS, giving thanks to the workforce, whilst raising funds to provide the extra support needed for staff, patients, and volunteers. Communities can celebrate by making time for tea – another national treasure!

Last year more than 4,800 hosts signed up, collectively raising over £500,000. In addition to individuals, schools, community groups and organisations, more than 150 NHS charities were involved, including MCH Charity.

Emma Robertson, MCH Charity Manager said: “Since the first NHS Big Tea back in 2018 we’ve loved this special event and the meaning behind it. The day provides the perfect way to celebrate our amazing NHS and say thank you to all the wonderful people who work or volunteer for it.”

This year, NHS Charities Together hopes to make the event the biggest NHS Big Tea to date, with a collective fundraising target of over £775,000. This will include donations from corporate sponsors including the headline sponsor Morrisons, who supported the campaign by raising £250,000 last year and will be urging their customers and staff to take part once again.

Over the years money raised from NHS Big Tea has supported a number of our appeals including the Everybody Knows Somebody dementia appeal, the Lost Little Ones baby bereavement suite appeal and last years’ Children’s Emergency Care appeal.

Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive at NHS Charities Together, said: “The NHS can't face every challenge alone, and the network of NHS charities is proud to have funded hundreds of incredible projects supporting staff, patients and communities. By hosting tea parties and inviting your friends, colleagues or classmates, the NHS Big Tea allows us to come together and say an enormous thank you to our incredible NHS – especially after all they’ve been through these last two years, and the ongoing challenges they continue to face.

“So, whether at home, in the office or in school, we’re asking the nation to pop the kettle on, grab the biscuits, and raise vital funds to help the NHS go further this July.” 

Amanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Executive, said: “No one in the country has been untouched by the events of the last two years and NHS staff along with our wonderful volunteers, workers who kept our shops and public services running and those who kept schools and offices open across the country are no exception.

“The NHS Big Tea is an excellent opportunity for communities to come together and pay tribute to brilliant staff and volunteers, who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic to keep us and our loved ones safe.

“The effects of the pandemic are still being felt even as the NHS and the country now looks to recover and rebuild, so the continued support of local communities remains as vital as it is hugely appreciated.”

To sign up to host your own NHS Big Tea event and receive a fundraising support pack, please visit:

www.nhscharitiestogether.co.uk

About MCH Charity

MCH Charity is a registered charity that manages all money raised for, or donated to, Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which includes Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary, Northwich and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre, Winsford. The Trust is also part of Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP), a unique local health partnership that provides a range of community health services for people across South Cheshire and Vale Royal.

MCH Charity supports patients, their relatives and friends, staff and local businesses and organisations to raise money for the charity. All the money we raise is spent to enhance and improve the care and experience that people receive when using Trust services. We purchase state-of-the-art equipment, additional comforts and fund enhanced training for staff. 

The charity works closely with the Trust to make sure that all specialities are supported to spend every penny of the money raised on items that will directly improve patient care.

For more information please visit our website www.mchcharity.org and our social media pages on Facebook and Twitter @mchcharity

About NHS Charities Together

NHS Charities Together is the national, independent charity caring for the NHS. Working with a network of more than 230 NHS charities, they provide the extra help needed in every hospital, health board, ambulance, community, and mental health trust across the UK. Thanks to generous support from the British public, NHS Charities Together allocated over £110 million during 2020, with millions more continuing to be allocated during 2021 and 2022.

The charity has funded a wide range of projects supporting NHS charities, staff, patients and volunteers to date. This includes over 400 new projects dedicated to NHS staff – such as helplines, counselling, and dedicated psychological support for post-traumatic stress disorder – and vital patient focused initiatives like training for emergency responders, research into long COVID, and specialist equipment. They’ve also funded over 700 community partnership projects to tackle health inequalities and prevent ill health in the community – to help the NHS as it recovers from the most challenging time in its history.

To find out more visit:

www.nhscharitiestogether.co.uk.