To mark 70 days until the NHS turns 70, the Royal Free Charity is today asking north Londoners to raise a cuppa and celebrate the wonderful work of the NHS.

The NHS Big7Tea will be a chance for people up and down the country to come together and toast 70 years of the NHS on Thursday 5 July.

The charity will be holding tea parties on the 5 July at Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital. These will be a chance to say a thank you to staff with tea, cake, fun activities and musical acts.

In addition, you can host your own tea party and invite friends, family and colleagues along to mark the occasion and support the vital work of the Royal Free Charity.

The humble cup of tea has a long and proud association with the NHS. Originally served to patients in traditional fine cups with saucers and a side spoon, tea was considered an important aspect of patient satisfaction and recovery.

Tens of thousands of patients enjoy tea in NHS hospitals across north London, clinics and GP surgeries every day. Tea brings us all together. It breaks down social boundaries, and like the NHS and NHS charities, is a symbol of comfort and community.

Diane Ryan, head of community fundraising of the Royal Free Charity, said: “Tea is synonymous with the NHS and the UK, and the Big7Tea is a great way to toast our wonderful NHS and support the work of the Royal Free Charity. We hope that people from across north London can join us or get together at their own tea party to share their stories of the NHS over our national drink.”

The Royal Free Charity is one of 250 NHS charities across the UK. It comprises three local charities, the Royal Free Charity, Barnet Hospital Charity and Chase Farm Charity.

The charity supports all Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust patients and staff to make today feel better and to enable them to have the best experience. It does this through funding patient services, massage therapy, emergency care packs and slippers as well as cutting-edge research and equipment.

To host your own tea party to celebrate 70 years of the NHS, and raise vital funds for the Royal Free Charity, visit https://www.royalfreecharity.org/events/view/big7tea