BRADFORD Hospitals’ Charity is urging people across the district to join the nation’s biggest tea break next month and help raise money for our NHS heroes.

Following a year like no other, Bradford Hospitals’ Charity wants as many people as possible to get involved in a national outpouring of love and thanks for NHS staff on its birthday, by hosting or taking part in an NHS Big Tea on July 5.

People can host their own tea party event or they can show their support by taking five minutes to enjoy a tea break and donate.

Each event can be in person or virtual, with your local community, friends, family or workmates, and is a chance to reflect and say thank you for everything that NHS staff do.

Professor Mel Pickup, chief executive officer of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I’m incredibly proud of everyone at Bradford Teaching Hospitals for their dedication and commitment since the beginning of the pandemic. It’s been a very tough time, but colleagues have made sacrifices and shown immense strength and resilience to ensure our patients have received the very best care."

Hayley Collis, head of fundraising for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity, said: “Our NHS staff in Bradford have had a very tough year. They continued to care for patients through all the way through the pandemic, giving their absolute all."

Ellie Orton, CEO of NHS Charities Together, which is behind the NHS Big Tea, added: “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.”

Anyone wishing to take part can register online and download a Big Tea event pack here. Donations can also be made here.