STAFF at Tameside Hospital got into gear to celebrate the National Health Service’s birthday and raise money to support patient care.
Back for a second year, a pedal-powered challenge saw 13 enthusiastic volunteers take to indoor bikes, each cycling for 30 minutes in a bid to cover 77 miles – one for every year of the NHS.
But the team didn’t just cross the finish line, they freewheeled right past it!
They clocked up an impressive 120 miles and raised £330 for the Tameside and Glossop NHS Charity.
The funds raised will go towards supporting patients and their families receiving care at the Ashton-based hospital and in the community.
It wasn’t just cycling that the NHS birthday event entailed – there was also a bake sale with sweet treats available for staff and visitors.
The celebrations extended beyond the hospital team as local community groups and businesses also got involved.
Astley Sports Village, a fitness centre based in Dukinfield, provided two indoor exercises for the day, while Tameside Voices choir stopped by to provide some musical motivation.
Emily Whelan, Tameside and Glossop NHS Charity Manager, said: “Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s NHS birthday fundraiser a success, whether through cycling, supporting or donating.
“NHS charities have been part of our health service from the very beginning. With demand for NHS charities growing rapidly, we are proud to fund projects across Tameside and Glossop that support patients, families and our brilliant NHS colleagues when they need it most.”
The NHS’s birthday takes place on July 5 every year and this year’s occasion coincided with the government publishing its flagship 10-year health plan for the NHS in England.