The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has become the first NHS trust in the Midlands to sign up to a national day created to say thank you to key workers.
Monday 5 July 2021 has been named as the first NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers’ Day, which will honour those who continue to put their lives on the line during the pandemic, as well as remember colleagues who have lost their lives during this period. The date was chosen as it marks the anniversary the NHS was founded in 1948.
There will be a series of events throughout the country on the day, the aim of which is to raise money for NHS Charities Together.
NHS Charities Together supports 250 hospitals and their charities and the National Care Association, representing 1.6 million workers caring for some of some of society’s frailest members. The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Charitable Fund, the charity which supports the hospital and funds extras such as support for NHS patients, their families and carers, as well as providing specialist training, equipment and knowledge to staff, is a member of NHS Charities Together.
The Northfield specialist hospital will be joining in with the events on the day, and will be flying their NHS rainbow flag at 10am, alongside hundreds of others expected to grace public buildings, offices, churches and schools. Other events are also in the process of being planned for the day.
Jo Williams (above)
Jo Williams, Chief Executive of The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to be taking part in such a fantastic and uplifting celebration. NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers’ Day is our opportunity, and rightly so, to celebrate key workers across all areas, and shine a light on them after what has been an incredibly difficult year. It is also a huge boost to our staff to be able to look forward to a positive, momentous occasion.
“July 5 will also be an opportunity for us, and our colleagues across the region, to remember those who we have sadly lost, which is not only important but very necessary, to highlight what some have sacrificed in our battle with the COVID-19 virus.”
The project is the brainchild of national and international Pageantmaster, Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR.
Events are subject to change due to COVID-19 restrictions, but provision will be made in the planning for all eventualities. One guarantee however, is that all proceeds raised by the events will be used in supporting the health and wellbeing of NHS staff and Care Association workers and will be divided equally between those member hospital trusts and care providers. The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Charitable Fund has been the recipient of over £30,000 of funding from NHS Charities Together since the pandemic began, which the charity says has been vital.
The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (above)
Ali Gray, Fundraising Manager at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Charitable Fund, said: “It has been an incredibly challenging year for the charity with a sharp decrease of donations and event income as a result of many cancelled fundraising activities.
“The financial support that our charity has received from NHS Charities Together have saved the day over the last year. We are grateful and excited to be working with passionate colleagues and patients to ensure we spend the donations efficiently to ensure maximum effect for our pioneering institution.”
Organisers are hoping that this will become an annual event. Senior politicians have signed up to support the initiative and it is expected that the Prime Minister will lead a two minutes’ silence along with leaders of faith groups to remember NHS and care worker staff who have lost their lives in the service of others.
Participants are being asked to register their involvement on the website www.nhsfrontlineday.org where they can also download a special certificate to keep as a permanent reminder of their participation in this momentous event.
To learn more about the work The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Charitable Fund does and how you can help, visit www.rohcharity.org
