Celebrate 73 years of the NHS in Sefton

ON Monday, 5 July 2021, the NHS will celebrate its 73rd 'birthday.' After a challenging year, health professionals in Sefton are encouraging everyone to join them in giving thanks for our national health service and recognising those who have worked hard to keep our borough safe.

Staff at NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG are marking the Anniversary of the creation of the NHS by hosting a:- 'Big Tea' event, sharing a:- 'Thank You' video to staff and residents in Sefton and inviting everyone to join in to:- 'light it blue' at home.

Anyone can get involved in the:- 'Big Tea' to say thank you to our NHS by hosting their own tea party and collecting donations for NHS Charities Together. Alternatively, you can join in online by taking a 5 minute brew break, sharing a photo with your cuppa on social media with the hashtag:- '#NHSBigTea' and donating to the charity by texting:- 'TEA' to:- 70207, to give ₤5.

Landmarks across the country will also be 'lighting up blue' this weekend to mark the occasion and show support for the NHS, while also remembering those who have lost their lives to Covid19. The NHS in Sefton is encouraging everyone to join in this simple act at home from Saturday, 3 July to Monday, 5 July 2021, to show support for our NHS and remember those we have lost.

Fiona Taylor, chief officer at NHS South Sefton CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said:- "It has been an extremely challenging year for the NHS in Sefton and across the country, but it has also been 1 of hope. While caring for around 400,000 seriously ill Covid19 patients, the NHS has rolled out the biggest vaccination programme in our history. We could not have played our part in these achievements without the skill and dedication of our staff, volunteers, key workers and you, the public, who are supporting our efforts by following social distancing rules and turning up to get vaccinated. We would like to mark the 73rd birthday of the NHS by saying a huge thank you to those who have worked so hard to face these challenges or who have supported us over the last 12 months."

Cllr Ian Maher, leader of Sefton Council, said:- "We would love for everyone in Sefton to join in the birthday celebrations at their own 'Big Tea' events with friends and family, while remembering that the:- 'Rule of 6', or 2 households, still applies indoors. It's a great opportunity to 'pour out our thanks' to NHS teams all over the country who have worked so hard to care for and protect our communities this year. You can also join in by 'lighting up blue' at home to show your support. Why not dig out the Christmas lights, hang something blue from your house, or simply light a lamp in your window as an act of respect to remember those who we have sadly lost to Covid19."

The NHS 'Big Tea' is a national celebration and fundraising events organised by NHS Charities Together, the NHS' national charity partner made up of 240 charity members based with Hospitals, mental health, Ambulance and community health services across the UK.

If you would like to host your own NHS:- 'Big Tea' event or find out how to support NHS Charities Together, visit their website. You can find out more about the NHS birthday and activities across the UK on the NHS website.

1 Below, the UK's freshest new discount store chain will open its doors in Southport

CREATED by the original founders of national chain, Poundworld Retail Limited, that was sold to American private equity conglomerate, TPG Capital, in 2014, 1 Below will occupy the former Pound World Store, on Chapel Street, selling over 4,000 products for ₤1 and under. Plus, some incredible finds that go beyond a ₤1. In a boost to the local economy, the fast growing bargain retailer has invested a 6 figure sum, in the opening of the store, creating 30 local retail jobs for the Town. The group is expanding following four successful store openings in many Merseyside locations, including:- St Helens, Liverpool, Bootle and Kirkby.

Christopher Edwards, Managing Director of 1 Below Retail Limited said:- "We're thrilled to be opening our 1st store in Southport. Now more than ever, when times are financially tighter for so many families, we are proud to be offering incredible savings on hundreds of branded shopping essentials and on trend items. It's great to be able to occupy this space on Chapel Street, offering convenient value shopping for Southport locals. When other retailers on the high street are closing, we're delighted to be able to create new retail jobs in the area. Almost 50% of our team are ex-Poundworld employees who lost their role when Poundworld went in to administration 3 years ago."

For its opening on Friday, 9 July 2021, 1 Below has implemented a shop safe policy with social distancing and hygiene measures in place so that customers can shop safely, in line with Government guidelines. The fresh up and coming discount chain has previously opened stores across the UK to queues of shoppers looking to bag a haul of bargains, thanks to its unique savings and product offering.

1 Below will offer thousands of essential items acrossmany departments including:- essential cleaning, groceries, medical, home, pet care, health and beauty and DIY. The store will also stock a fantastic range of gardening, kids toys and summer items.

Since 1 Below's launch 2 years ago, by Yorkshire father and son retail entrepreneurs, Christopher Edwards (37) and Christopher Edwards Senior, the independent retailer has opened over 80 stores UK wide with plans for further expansion in 2021. 1 Below now has stores in:- Rothwell, Leeds Kirkstall Road, Leeds Regent Street Retail Park, Leeds Crown Point, Doncaster, South Shields, Redcar, Wolverhampton, Manchester Fort Retail Park, Nottingham Victoria Centre, Bristol Channons Hill, Sheffield Crystal Peaks, Burton, Bradford, Derby, Ashton, Cardiff, Glasgow The Forge, Glasgow Argyle Street, Rotherham Parkgate, Stockport, Widnes, Hyde, Middlesbrough, Bexleyheath, Luton, Maidenhead, Kirkcaldy, Clydebank, King's Lynn, Kirkby, Wisbech, Huddersfield, Glenrothes, Denton, Merry Hill, Waltham Cross, Wallsend, Hull Kingswood, Hull Northpoint, Gloucester, Ellesmere Port, Coventry, Bradley Stoke, Wrexham, Bradford Forster Square, Swindon, Walsall, Romford, Edmonton Green, Crossgates, Southampton, Liverpool, Ipswich, Bradford Warrington, West Brom, Barnsley, Hartlepool, Castleford, Croydon, Cumbernauld, Bury, West Brom, Shepherds Bush, Banbury, Selby, Glasgow Robroyston, St Albans, Birchwood, Warrington and Rhyl.