Nottingham will mark the 70th anniversary of the NHS on 5 July with a number of events and the chance for people to say ‘thank you’ to National Health Service workers.
Local celebrations of the milestone will showcase the achievements of one of the nation’s most loved institutions, appreciate the vital role the service plays in our lives, and recognise and thank the extraordinary NHS staff – the everyday heroes – who are there to guide, support and care for us, day in, day out.
Nottingham City Council is hosting a celebration on 5 July 2018 with two civic receptions for NHS staff, where thank you messages from the people of Nottingham will be displayed, along with a number of NHS and other stalls in the Old Market Square from 10am to 4pm where people will be able to pick up advice on a range of health issues and get a health MOT. Banners will also be on display across the city to celebrate the milestone and the Council House will be lit up blue in the evening along with other buildings around the country.
The civic receptions, at 2pm and 6pm at the Council House, will be attended by senior council and NHS representatives and will be an opportunity for frontline members of staff have their services officially recognised. There will be a focus on the contribution to the NHS made by those with a connection to Windrush – also marking its 70th anniversary.
An academic debate about the next 70 years of the NHS will also take place at the Council House at 7.30pm, with health professionals outlining how they would like to see the service develop in the future.
Everyone who wants to is being encouraged to send a thank you message – either online at www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/thankyou or by filling in a thank you postcard at any Nottingham City library, or by emailing communications@nottinghamcity.gov.uk, which will be displayed and read out at the civic receptions.
City Council Leader Cllr Jon Collins, said: “The 70th anniversary of the NHS is an opportunity for us to pause, reflect and be thankful for what an incredible institution it is, providing exceptional levels of care to all and staffed by amazing people who day in, day out go above and beyond to ensure we are not only cared for, but feel cared for.
“We all know there are funding issues facing the NHS, but the events we’ve set up aim to celebrate what it still manages to achieve even in difficult circumstances, and pay tribute to the people who’ve made it what it is over the past seven decades.”
Also marking the anniversary is a charity bike ride to raise money for Nottingham’s Children’s Hospital, with Cllr Collins joining Geldards Partner Paul Southby on a 125-mile route known as The Sheriff.
The pair will be taking on the gruelling route as part of a Cycle Live event on Sunday 24 June 2018 – with Cycle Live the official partner for Nottingham Hospitals Charity’s Big Appeal for the Children’s Hospital, which aims to raise a total of £4m to help young patients.
Cllr Collins said: “This summer marks the 70 anniversary of the NHS, so it seems timely to be able to raise money for Nottingham University Hospitals this year. We all have
a lot to thank the NHS for so I’m glad to lend my support. It’s a long while since I’ve cycled this distance, so any sponsorship to help me get there would really help!”
Anyone can donate to Cllr Collins’ Just Giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jon-collins6