Celebrate 70 years of the NHS and have a NHS big 7Tea party!

What better way to celebrate one of the nation’s most loved institutions than with a cup of tea? On and around the 5 July, people across the country are being encouraged to get together and raise a cuppa to the NHS by hosting a NHS big 7tea party to raise funds for NHS charities.

People can get involved in lots of ways by inviting their friends round for a cuppa, put a brew on for your family, share the staff room tea bags or even book out the village hall.

Tayside Health Fund, the charity which supports NHS Tayside’s hospitals and sites, is among the NHS charities that the public can raise money for by taking part.

The NHS Big 7Tea aims to raise awareness of the vital work carried out by local NHS charities and let the public know how to support them.

For more information on how to host a NHS 7Tea party to fundraise for Tayside Health Fund, visit www.nhsbig7tea.co.uk/plan-a-party, where you can download a Big 7Tea pack.

Anyone who would like to share photos from their events can email them as jpeg attachments to communications.tayside@nhs.net or post them on NHS Tayside’s Facebook and Twitter pages using hashtags #nhsscot70 and #lovenhstayside. The photos will then be used at events and on social media to celebrate the anniversary.

Tayside Health Fund Fundraising Support Officer Gillian Moran said, “The 70th anniversary of the NHS is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate NHS services in Tayside.

“We would love people across Tayside to hold their own 7tea party with their friends, family and colleagues to mark the 70th birthday.

“The fund makes a big difference to patients and their families across Tayside and that is why we are grateful for every single penny which we receive, and we know our patients and their families are too.”

Tayside Health Fund is a Registered Scottish Charity (SCO 11042) which supports NHS Tayside hospitals and services. It is supported by donations and legacies from patients, their relatives, the general public and other organisations.

People donating to the Tayside Health Fund can specify that they would like the donation to benefit a particular ward, department, service or facility within NHS Tayside or they can donate to the general fund which can be used for a variety of purposes including:

· Buying extra items for patients which will make their visit or stay more comfortable.
· Supporting major projects, such as a new unit, an extension or a facility upgrade.
· Introducing new pioneering ways of delivering care.
· Supporting new medical research.
· Supporting Volunteer Services.
· Supporting extra educational and training opportunities for staff.
· Providing additional support to patients in the community.