Dr Ranj, Charles Venn and St George’s staff raise a cuppa to launch NHS Big Tea campaign
TV’s Dr Ranj Singh and Casualty star Charles Venn joined staff at St George’s Hospital in London to raise a cuppa and celebrate the launch of the NHS Big Tea campaign.
Thousands of tea parties will be taking place across the country on Friday 5 July as the nation comes together to mark the NHS birthday and raise money for NHS charities.
There are more than 250 NHS charities across the UK. Many of them focus on helping our hospitals do more, while others support mental health trusts, community health trusts and ambulance trusts.
Charles Venn and Dr Ranj join some of our Emergency Department staff to raise a cuppa for the NHS Big Tea
In recent years, NHS charities have funded major capital projects, pioneering research and medical equipment, helping patients access the best possible care when they need it most. They also play a key role in mobilising volunteers to support NHS staff, brightening wards and waiting areas with colourful and engaging art, and building important links between our hospitals and our communities.
To celebrate the launch of this year’s NHS Big Tea campaign, Dr Ranj was joined by his Strictly Come Dancing co-star Charles Venn and some of his former St George’s colleagues on the hospital’s helipad in Tooting, south west London, for a special tea party event. Staff celebrated the helipad’s fifth anniversary last month.
Emergency Department staff – and stars of 24 Hours in A&E – join Dr Ranj, Charles Venn, Jacqueline Totterdell, Chief Executive of St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Ellie Orton, Chief Executive of NHS Charities Together
Dr Ranj Singh said: “The NHS has been a huge part of my life – as it has for millions of people across the country. Our fantastic health service is the envy of the world and the NHS staff who provide such outstanding care for patients every day are extraordinary people.
“I’m delighted to raise a cuppa today to celebrate the launch of the NHS Big Tea, which is the perfect opportunity for everyone who loves our NHS to come together and say thank you.
“By hosting a tea party, you can raise money for NHS charities and show your support for their incredible work.”
TV and former St George’s doctor, Dr Ranj
Charles Venn said: “The NHS is a national treasure for a reason – it is there for us all in our time of need, no matter what.
“That’s why I want you all to join together on 5 July and show the NHS just how much we love it, by raising a cuppa in support of NHS charities across the country. Let’s celebrate the amazing work they do day in and day out to help people and their families.”
The NHS Big Tea is an opportunity for people up and down the country to come together and toast the NHS. Everyone is encouraged to host their own tea party, invite their friends, family and colleagues, and support the vital work of NHS charities.
The NHS Big Tea campaign is being led by NHS Charities Together, which is the national association for NHS charities.
Casualty star Charles Venn
Ellie Orton, CEO of NHS Charities Together, said: “NHS charities give £1 million every day to support the NHS, playing an important role in funding major redevelopments, research and medical equipment.
“As well as mobilising volunteers and brightening wards and waiting areas with beautiful art, they also help to build links between our hospitals and our communities – giving everyone the chance to give back to the NHS.
“Whether it’s a traditional builders or a fruity rooibos, we want everyone to dust off the old china, rally their friends, family and colleagues, and come together to raise a cuppa!”
Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for England, said: “NHS charities provide much-needed support for patients. This in turn enables staff to take care of people when they need it the most. It would be great if everyone across the country came together on 5 July to raise a cuppa for the NHS.”
To find out more about the NHS Big Tea and to download a free tea party pack, visit www.nhsbigtea.co.uk
Notes to editors
About NHS Charities Together
NHS charities are charities that are dedicated to supporting the NHS. NHS Charities Together supports and champions the work of more than 130 member NHS charities. Collectively, NHS charities give £1 million every day to the NHS, improving patient care and experience.
About the NHS Big Tea
The NHS Big Tea is an annual fundraising and awareness campaign with the aim of celebrating the NHS birthday on 5 July and recognising the important work of NHS charities in supporting our health service. In hospitals, in homes and in local communities across the country, everyone who loves the NHS is encouraged to come together with friends, family and colleagues to host a tea part and raise a cuppa to the NHS.
The campaign was established by NHS Charities Together in 2018 to mark the 70th anniversary of the NHS, with more than 4,000 parties taking place across the UK. Over £250,000 was raised for NHS charities.
About St George’s
St George’s is the proud home of Channel 4’s 24 Hours in A&E.
With more than 9500 staff, St George’s is the largest healthcare provider, major teaching hospital and tertiary centre for south west London, Surrey and beyond serving a population of 3.5 million.
St George’s is one of 11 adult and children major trauma centres in the UK, one of eight hyper acute stroke units and one of the biggest and busiest of the eight heart attack centres in London.
It is also an accredited centre of excellence for trauma, neurology, cardiology, cancer and blood pressure services and is the national centre for family HIV care and bone marrow transplantation for non-cancer diseases.
For further information about this press release or photos, please contact:
Pippa Harper
Media Manager, St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
T: 020 8266 6128
Eimear Elkington
Communications Manager, St George’s Hospital Charity
T: 020 8725 1316
