• NHS marks 74 years of service with a series of special celebrations
• Staff and patients in Bolton come together to pay thanks
• People can continue to support patients in Bolton with the NHS Big Tea throughout July

Royal Bolton Hospital has celebrated 74 years of the NHS with a special ‘Big Tea’ event for staff and patients.

The milestone provides an opportunity to say thank you to the staff, both past and present, for their invaluable contribution to support people in Bolton and beyond.

As part of the celebrations, NHS Charities Together and Our Bolton NHS Charity asked people to take part in the biggest NHS Big Tea ever.

It offered a moment of thanks after what has been a challenging couple of years, and to raise money to help the NHS go that bit further for staff and patients.

it's the people that make the NHS amazing 💙 We have been spreading some love across as many wards as we could 🫶 thank you for all you do @boltonnhsft pic.twitter.com/W8EbWqLDVI

— Enhanced Care & Support Team RBH (@EnhancedCareRBH) July 5, 2022

Organised and funded by Our Bolton NHS Charity, drinks and cakes were provided to 600 in-patients at Royal Bolton Hospital to ensure everyone could get involved on the big day.

Charity Manager, Sarah Skinner, said:

It was such a special day to be a part of, thank you to everyone who has been a part of it.

“Whether you organised an event, took part in one or made a text donation, your support is vital and very much appreciated.

“The money raised will contribute towards our ‘The Small Things’ fundraiser, where the money really makes a big difference to the lives our patients.

Going above and beyond

The celebrations continued as Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’s Chief Executive invited staff for a tea and chat at the ‘NHS Big Tea with Fi’.

Caroline Ellis, Business Support Manager in Paediatric Services, was nominated for being a shining star who goes above and beyond:

I’m really lucky to be part of such an inspiring team. I’m so excited about all the plans we have to transform and update our services for patients and families.

People can continue to support Our Bolton NHS Charity throughout July by registering online to organise an event.

If people want to support without organising an event, they can:

• Text YUM3 to 70580 donate £3.
• Texts cost £3 plus one standard rate message. It will appear on your bill or be deducted from your credit.