NHS Charities Together, celebrities and member charities across UK unite to celebrate NHS 76th birthday

• NHS Charities Together is sharing ‘NHS birthday wish’ video messages all week in NHS birthday countdown
• NHS Charities Together and its network of over 200 members including NHS charities celebrate the NHS turning 76 on Friday 5 July
• NHS Big Tea events happening within NHS Trusts across the UK encourage staff, patients and communities to come together, have a cuppa and a piece of cake and raise vital funds for their local NHS charities.

NHS Charities Together – the national charity caring for the NHS – has been counting down to the NHS birthday by sharing videos featuring a range of supporters – including ambassadors and member charities – wishing the NHS a happy 76^th birthday and sharing a ‘birthday wish’ for the NHS. Celebrities to have lent their support by submitting a short video include the charity’s Champion Jordan Henderson MBE. Other high-profile contributors include Stephen Fry, Adam Kay, Kate Garraway MBE and ITV’s Loose Women Brenda Edwards and Kaye Adams. Actor Sir David Jason OBE shared a personal letter thanking the NHS and Ellie Orton OBE, CEO of NHS Charities Together, also recorded a special message.

In his video message, Jordan Henderson, MBE, Charity Champion for NHS Charities Together said:

“I’d like to wish the NHS a very happy 76^th birthday. My birthday wish for the NHS is that the NHS workforce get the support they need to do their jobs caring for us all. I know first-hand what an incredible job they do in really difficult circumstances, and how loved and appreciated they are by all of us. Thank you and happy birthday.”

Stephen Fry also recorded a special NHS birthday message. In his video, he said:

“I’m wishing the NHS a very happy 76^th birthday. And what’s my birthday wish for the NHS this year? Well, above all, the NHS is not buildings, hospitals, it’s not clinics, it’s not drop-in centres. It’s not even the technology. It’s the staff. And I wish that the staff, more than ever, are treated by the public, and by the NHS and the Government, with the respect and the honour that they deserve. And that everything is done to reduce the pressure, the staff burnout, all the problems that they can face in an increasingly difficult job. The more we honour the staff of the NHS, the stronger the service will be. Happy birthday NHS and happy birthday to all who work in her.”

In her birthday message to the NHS, Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive at NHS Charities Together said:

“I would like to wish the NHS a very happy 76^th birthday. My birthday wish for the NHS is that despite the huge challenges in healthcare, our incredible NHS workforce get the support that they so badly need and that every one of us, no matter who we are or where we’re from, have access to the best possible healthcare. NHS charities have been here for the last 76 years of the NHS and will continue to be there for the next 76 years.”

Ellie Orton also added:

“We’re grateful to everyone who shared NHS birthday messages with us – including Jordan Henderson, Stephen Fry, Sir David Jason, Adam Kay, Kate Garraway and ITV’s Loose Women Brenda Edwards and Kaye Adams to wish the NHS a happy birthday and share a wish for the year ahead.

“As we celebrate 76 years of the NHS, prioritising the wellbeing of staff and improving patient care has never been more important. That’s why we’re so grateful to everyone who has supported their local NHS charity as part of the NHS Big Tea events happening this week. Working in partnership with NHS charities and the wider voluntary sector is crucial to making sure everyone gets the best possible health care. We will be working closely with the incoming UK Government to make sure the NHS is prioritised, easing pressure on staff and transforming care for patients.”

Locally, NHS charities across the UK have been holding NHS Big Tea events in their communities, aiming to bring everyone together for a cup of tea and a piece of cake while raising vital funds to improve care and support for NHS staff, patients and communities.

Events happening this week include:

• Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust (SHFT) hosted an NHS Big Tea event at Tatchbury Mount Hospital in Southampton on Tuesday 2 July. Almost 100 SHFT employees attended, enjoying a barbecue and performance from local musician Richard ‘Ricky’ Palmer while raising funds for Brighterway
• West Herts Hospitals Charity organising an NHS Big Tea party on Friday 5 July in the gardens of Watford General Hospital
• Royal Berks Charity encouraging local community to host their own NHS Big Tea party to raise funds for Royal Berks Charity. A whole week of wellbeing activities are taking place for NHS staff at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust including drop-in yoga sessions, origami making and a bake sale.
• United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity and the Lincolnshire NHS Charity hosting an NHS Big Tea event on Saturday 6 July from 10.30am-4pm at Tesco Extra on Wragby Road in Lincoln raising money for both charities with tea and cake.
• Other NHS charities are encouraging local communities to host their own NHS Big Tea events, including Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board; and Frimley Health Charity hosting Ward bake offs across their three biggest sites and encouraging their communities to show their gratitude and support by hosting an NHS Big Tea on or around Friday 5 July.