Published on: 4 July 2023
A festival of fitness and thanks will fill a month of celebrations to mark the NHS’s 75th birthday.
Wednesday, July 5, will mark the milestone day.
To recognise the work of all those who play a part in South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, it will hold four weeks of events and challenges.
Trust Chief Executive Ken Bremner MBE said:
"July 5 will see our NHS reach its 75th year and to this day, it remains free at the point of delivery.
"It continues to ensure every single one of us is cared for throughout our lives and strives to help us live better and for longer.
"We are proud to serve South Tyneside and Sunderland out in our communities and in our hospitals.
"Our fantastic, committed and highly-skilled colleagues are the powerhouse behind our organisation. We must also remember our volunteers and partners, who play a key part in our work.
"I know each of them will appreciate the good wishes throughout our birthday celebrations and I want to thank everyone who plays a part helping us be part of this world-renowned organisation."
Ken has recorded a special episode of the Trust’s Our People Podcast, which will be shared on the day.
The Trust’s partners will be showing their appreciation for the NHS by getting involved in the birthday plans.
South Tyneside Council, Sunderland City Council, the Beacon of Light and Sunderland Empire Theatre will light up landmarks, with Sunderland Royal Hospital and South Tyneside District Hospital to join them.
A photo shared by South Tyneside Council showing South Shields Town Hall lit up in blue on a previous occasion. It will do the same to mark the 75th birthday of the NHS.
The Beacon of Light lit up in blue on a previous occasion.
The Trust will also take the chance to champion its vision, to have ‘Excellence in all that we do’ and its values - respect, teamwork, compassion and honesty.
In recognition of the dedication its 8,000-plus workforce, it has lined up a series of treats for staff.
These include ice creams from Minchella and Co, which is serving at pop ups across the Trust’s estate over a three week run. This will see leaders join in, helping serve up tubs and thank staff for their hard work.
Trust staff at St Benedict's Hospice enjoy a Minchella and Co ice cream as part of the NHS 75 celebrations.
Cupcakes made by catering teams will also be presented on the day.
The celebrations kicked off at the weekend, when a 7-tea-5 picnic was held at the end of 7.5k wellbeing walk around Herrington County Park.
The event, on Sunday, July 2, welcomed staff, their families and dogs, with walkers invited to wear something blue for the day.
STSFT colleagues, friends and family after they completed the 7-tea-5 walk around Herrington Country Park.
It was part of a wider programme of walks for staff, which are held around its sites and at North East beauty to bring together the Trust’s community.
Together, members plan to hit a 75k target over the month.
Parkrun is also getting involved to show support nationally this weekend.
In South Shields this Saturday, July 9, a 5k will be held on the Leas.
The 2km Junior Parkrun around North Marine Park on the Sunday also will back the birthday.
In Sunderland, the adults’ event at Silksworth Community Pool Tennis and Wellness Centre on the Saturday will get on board.
Within its hospitals and offices, Trust teams will be welcome to decorate their area, using sustainable materials to dress it up for the occasion.
Babies born on the birthday will be presented with their own special outfit to mark the anniversary.
Councillor Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said:
"The NHS is an incredible institution which supports all of us through good times and bad.
"I am incredibly pleased and proud that South Shields Town Hall will be lit up in blue in honour of the NHS on its 75th anniversary in recognition or its continued dedication to the health and wellbeing of our communities."
Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Healthy City, Councillor Kelly Chequer said:
“Lighting Sunderland’s landmarks blue on 5 July is a demonstration of our appreciation for our NHS and the vital role it plays in our lives.
“It is also gives us an opportunity to show our thanks for the millions of staff and volunteers who have worked so hard to keep it running over the last 75 years.”
The special edition NHS 75 episode of Our People Podcast will be shared via a playlist on the Trust’s YouTube channel which can be found here.
The series can also be found through Spotify by clicking here.
