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This summer, two momentous occasions are being celebrated: the 75th birthday of the NHS and ten years since NHS Property Services (NHSPS) was established.

To mark these milestones and as a way of saying ‘thank you’ to NHS colleagues, NHSPS has been joining in with the annual NHS Big Tea event at Johnson Community Hospital in Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire.

Now entering its sixth year, the special celebration brings people together to take a break, have a cuppa and fundraise for charities on July 5 or any day of that week.

NHSPS marked the NHS Big Tea with banners, a raffle, games, and a cake stall at the Spalding Road site.

More than 30 colleagues were encouraged to munch and sip their way through cakes and tea while they took a break from their busy roles.

The in-house celebrity of the day was chef Iain Drewery, who baked the cakes himself. The Louth-based NHSPS Catering Coordinator, who drove for over an hour to deliver his creations to Pinchbeck, said: “We did a mix – a large birthday cake with an edible topping on it, as well as individual cupcakes.”

Iain, who’s been at NHS Property Services since it started in 2013, added: “I had cancer back in 1990, so I love the NHS and how it helped me get well again. All my family have worked for the NHS over the years – my wife, brother, dad, mum, nanna, and grandad. That’s why I wanted to bake the cakes – it’s the least my colleagues and I at NHSPS could do for this special summer anniversary.”

Cherry Immink, NHSPS Facilities Management Team Leader at Johnson Community Hospital, has been at NHS Property Services since day one, ten years ago – but started working with the NHS in 1994. She said: “My team was proud to host the Big Tea because the 75th anniversary of the NHS is just massive to me. I am a cancer survivor, so I have lots to give back to the NHS.

“Everybody took time to enjoy the day, have a cup of tea and a slice of cake and chat with their colleagues. We raised £580 from the raffle, the cake sales, and the little games we had going. So, £290 is going to the NHS Big Tea charity and £290 to NHSPS’ recognised charity of Young Lives vs Cancer.”

For more information on the NHS Big Tea, visit nhsbigtea.co.uk.

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About NHS Property Services (NHSPS)

NHSPS is a government-owned company which exists to help the NHS get the most from its estate and ensure that it is consistently fit for purpose so that healthcare professionals can deliver excellent patient care. Our portfolio is one of the largest in the UK, comprising more than 3,000 properties with 7,000 tenants across England. At a total value of more than £3bn, this represents about 10% of the entire NHS estate. Our properties range from listed buildings to state-of-the-art integrated health campuses.

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