Join A National Outpouring Of Love To Raise Money For Your Local NHS Heroes

NHS Lothian Charity is urging people across the region to join the nation’s biggest tea break on 5 July and help raise money for the incredible people in our NHS who have done so much to help everyone get through the pandemic.

Following a year like no other, NHS Lothian Charity wants as many people as possible to get involved in a national outpouring of love and thanks for NHS staff by hosting or taking part in an NHS Big Tea at 3pm on 5 July – the anniversary of the founding of the NHS.

Each event can be in person or virtual, with the community, friends, family or work colleagues, and is a chance to reflect and say thank you for everything that NHS staff have done and continue to do.

People can host their own event or they can show their support by taking 5 minutes to raise a mug to NHS staff and texting a £5 donation to NHS Lothian Charity, tagging five friends on social media and calling on them to do the same.

Money raised will help provide calm and comfortable wellbeing spaces on every NHS Lothian site, giving all staff a place to go, away from busy work environments, where they can take a moment to catch their breath and recharge. Staff across NHS Lothian benefitted greatly from the temporary, pop-up wellbeing spaces that were put in place during the first wave of the pandemic and the Charity now wants to ensure that these spaces become a permanent feature.

Nicola Sinclair, Head of Fundraising at NHS Lothian Charity, said: 

“What better occasion than the birthday of the NHS to come together and give thanks to everyone who has supported us over the last year. The NHS Big Tea is a great, fun way to get together, within the latest COVID-19 guidance, and raise money to support the wellbeing of the amazing NHS Lothian staff who have cared for us throughout the pandemic. With your help, we can care for them too, by giving them a space to unwind, when they’ve given so much to us. I hope you will join us all on 5^th July for the nation’s biggest tea break!”

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.”

Thousands are expected to host events across the country and national charity, NHS Charities Together, has produced a pack to help those events go with a swing. To make a £5 donation, text NHSBIGTEA to 70450. Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message.