On Monday 5 July the NHS will celebrate its 73rd ‘birthday’. After a challenging year, health professionals in Sefton are encouraging everyone to join them in giving thanks for our national health service and recognising those who have worked hard to keep our borough safe.

Staff at NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG are marking the anniversary of the creation of the NHS by hosting a ‘Big Tea’ event, sharing a ‘Thank You’ video to staff and residents in Sefton and inviting everyone to join in to ‘light it blue’ at home this weekend.

Anyone can get involved in the ‘Big Tea’ to say thank you to our NHS by hosting their own tea party and collecting donations for NHS Charities Together. Alternatively, you can join in online by taking a 5 minute brew break, sharing a photo with your cuppa on social media with the hashtag #NHSBigTea and donating to the charity by texting TEA to 70207 to give £5.

Landmarks across the country will also be ‘lighting up blue’ this weekend to mark the occasion and show support for the NHS, while also remembering those who have lost their lives to COVID-19. The NHS in Sefton is encouraging everyone to join in this simple act at home from Saturday 3 July – Monday 5 July, to show support for our NHS and remember those we have lost.

Fiona Taylor, chief officer at NHS South Sefton CCG and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “It has been an extremely challenging year for the NHS in Sefton and across the country, but it has also been one of hope. While caring for around 400,000 seriously ill COVID-19 patients, the NHS has rolled out the biggest vaccination programme in our history.”

“We could not have played our part in these achievements without the skill and dedication of our staff, volunteers, keyworkers and you, the public, who are supporting our efforts by following social distancing rules and turning up to get vaccinated.”

“We would like to mark the 73^rd birthday of the NHS by saying a huge thank you to those who have worked so hard to face these challenges or who have supported us over the last 12 months.”

Cllr Ian Maher, leader of Sefton Council, said: “We would love for everyone in Sefton to join in the birthday celebrations at their own ‘Big Tea’ events with friends and family, while remembering that the ‘Rule of 6’, or two households, still applies indoors. It’s a great opportunity to ‘pour out our thanks’ to NHS teams all over the country who have worked so hard to care for and protect our communities this year.”

“You can also join in by ‘lighting up blue’ at home to show your support. Why not dig out the Christmas lights, hang something blue from your house, or simply light a lamp in your window as an act of respect to remember those who we have sadly lost to COVID-19.”

The NHS ‘Big Tea’ is a national celebration and fundraising events organised by NHS Charities Together, the NHS’ national charity partner made up of 240 charity members based with hospitals, mental health, ambulance and community health services across the UK.

If you would like to host your own NHS ‘Big Tea’ event or find out how to support NHS Charities Together, visit their website here: www.nhscharitiestogether.co.uk/nhs-big-tea/

You can find out more about the NHS birthday and activities across the UK on the NHS website here: www.england.nhs.uk/nhsbirthday/.