THE NHS is 70-years-old this year, and Southmead Hospital Charity are calling on the public to help celebrate.

The service celebrates its 70th birthday on July 5, and the charity that helps fundraise for the hospital are asking people to come up with ways to raise £70 in 70 days leading up to the big day.

Elizabeth Bond, Southmead Hospital Charity’s head of fundraising, said: “We’re so proud of the NHS services that we support and the staff that care for thousands of patients every day.

“The NHS is supported by 250 charities that enable hospitals to reach new levels of care and treatments for future generations - you can make a real difference to the NHS where you live by getting involved in our NHS70 celebrations.

“To celebrate the NHS's big 70th anniversary, Southmead Hospital Charity is preparing to give a special 'birthday gift' to North Bristol NHS Trust on July 5.”

Across the country people will be hosting a Big7tea tea party to raise money for hospital charities as a thank you to the NHS, with Southmead Hospital Charity holding their own to enable people to share a cup of tea and their stories of what the NHS means to them.

Adrian Brown, Southmead Hospital Charity’s community appeals manager, said: “We'd love to see you at our Big7tea on July 5 in the atrium of Southmead Hospital to join us for a cuppa and cake for a suggested donation.

“Even better is if you'd like to host your own Big7tea at home, work, school or in your local community and raise money for Southmead Hosptial Charity please get in touch with the team for a free fundraising pack.

“Remember you can raise money for the general hospital, a department that is close to your heart or for our Prostate Cancer Care Appeal to buy a second surgical robot to treat more urological cancers and save more lives.”

Find out more at southmeadhospitalcharity.org.uk/NHS70.