Frank Whittle Partnership (FWP) put the kettle on, made a big brew and raised a cuppa and cash for Lancashire’s NHS heroes.

The team at the architecture, design and masterplanning practice’s head office in Preston took part in the NHS Big Tea event.

Their Big Tea Party raised more than £250.

NHS Charities Together held its biggest ever NHS Big Tea to celebrate the 73rd birthday of the NHS and the FWP event in the garden of its Ribblesdale Place offices was one of more than 5,000 events on the day.

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The event was a national outpouring of love for the country’s NHS champions, who continue to go above and beyond to care for us and our loved ones when we need it the most.

FWP has built close links with the NHS in Lancashire and the North West of England over many years, working on health projects across the region and got involved to say thanks to those in the healthcare frontline.

David Robinson, managing partner at FWP said: “We decided to take part after hearing about the Big Tea, which was being supported by our local NHS Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity.

“As well as showing our gratitude for the work of our NHS heroes and raising money for NHS Charities Together, it was also a great way of meeting up for a socially distanced chat and catch-up, and who doesn’t enjoy a brew and a slice of cake?!”

FWP wasn’t alone in brewing up. The central event on the day was a special royal Big Tea at Buckingham Palace, with HRH The Duke of Cambridge, joint royal patron of NHS Charities Together.

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Ellie Orton, chief executive of NHS Charities Together, said: “Support for this year’s NHS Big Tea has been truly overwhelming.

“It has been heartening and inspiring to see individuals of all ages and backgrounds join NHS charities and communities in raising mugs of thanks and holding Covid safe events to celebrate the NHS’ birthday.

“I thank everyone for their support as we are grateful for every penny raised to help NHS charities be there for NHS staff who need us now more than ever and will continue to need us in the aftermath of this pandemic.”

NHS Charities Together has so far allocated £125million in a range of projects supporting staff, patients and volunteers.

Through its 240 NHS member charities covering the UK, projects include counselling services and helplines to help support the mental health of staff, bereavement support for families who have lost loved ones, long-Covid research, and funding thousands of emergency volunteers.

Funding has also supported staff with practical needs like food, drink and a place to rest, enabling staff to continue with their vital life-saving work.

The evidence shows these projects are already making a huge difference for frontline staff, with over three in ten NHS staff surveyed saying they most value the counselling support and support with practical needs, like food and drink, that have been provided by NHS charities.

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