WUTH Charity is urging people in Wirral to join the nation’s biggest tea break to raise funds for facilities for premature babies and to thank NHS staff who worked tirelessly during the pandemic.

The NHS Big Tea will take place on July 5, to coincide with the 73rd birthday of the National Health Service and people are invited to join in the celebration and raise funds for WUTH Charity, which is the official charity of Wirral University Teaching Hospital.

Following a year like no other, WUTH Charity is inviting as many people as possible to get involved in a national outpouring of love and thanks for NHS staff and volunteers by hosting or taking part in an NHS Big Tea at 3pm on July 5.

Proceeds will go towards the Tiny Stars Neonatal Unit appeal to enhance facilities for premature babies in Wirral and also to create rest areas for NHS staff.

Victoria Burrows, Head of Fundraising at WUTH Charity, said: “This will be a fantastic opportunity for people to join us in our NHS birthday celebration by having a cuppa and raising funds.

“The past year has been extremely challenging and we would like to thank the people of Wirral who have shown so much support for the NHS.

“Not only will the NHS Big Tea help to fund rest areas for hospital staff, it will also help us as we re-launch our Tiny Stars Neonatal Unit appeal.

"Throughout the pandemic our staff have continued to care for some of the smallest and most poorly babies. Our aim is to create a new unit to enhance the facilities for parents of premature babies.

“All support will be extremely welcome and we hope people will join in the celebration on the day and have a little bit of fun while raising money.”

Each event can be in person or virtual, with the community, friends, family or at work, and is a chance to reflect and say thank you for everything that NHS staff and volunteers have done and continue to do, by taking part in the nation’s biggest tea break.

People can host their own event or they can show their support by taking five minutes to enjoy a tea break, by donating £5 to support WUTH Charity and tagging five friends on social media and calling on them to do the same.

Thanks to a joint appeal with the Globe and the generosity of the public over the past year, the WUTH Charity COVID-19 support fund is planning to create a great new space for staff to spend their rest time. Proceeds from the NHS Big Tea will go towards this.

Thousands are expected to host events across the UK and WUTH Charity has an event pack to help those local events go with a swing.

To take part and get your pack, contact the WUTH Charity team at wuth.charity@nhs.net or call 0151 482 7788.