Some of our most iconic Nottingham buildings will turn blue this Saturday, July 3, to mark a weekend of reflection, thanks and celebration ahead of the NHS’ 73rd ‘birthday’ on Monday, July 5 .

The NHS will mark its’ 73rd ‘birthday’ after a year like no other. It has been an extremely challenging year for the NHS and the country as a whole, but also a year of hope.

Among the buildings to be lit up blue this Saturday are Wollaton Hall, Green’s Windmill, Nottingham Castle, the Council House in Market Square, the Queen’s Medical Centre and buildings on the City Hospital site, King’s Mill Hospital and the university’s Trent Building.

While marking all that the NHS has achieved, the lighting of buildings will also serve as a symbol of remembrance and respect for those who have lost their lives to Covid.

The run up to the NHS’ ‘birthday’ on Monday continues over the weekend with people being encouraged to take part in a national ‘Thank You Day’ on Sunday, July 4, organised by the Together Coalition.

The NHS birthday weekend is about thanking everyone, from truck drivers and cleaners to doctors and shelf stackers, all of the key workers who have kept us going in challenging times.

Has someone supported you during lockdown or at any time over the past 18 months? This could be a colleague, friend, family member, neighbour or a key worker. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is encouraging people to share their messages of thanks on social media this Sunday using the #ThankYouDay hashtag.

Professor John Atherton, Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the university said: “We are pleased to be lighting up the Trent Building to mark the 73rd birthday of the NHS. We are proud to be such a close partner to the NHS in their clinical service and also in their education and research in the health sector. The last year has shown us, more than ever, how lucky we are to have such an important and effective health service, and we want to show our gratitude and pay our respects to the staff who have played such a vital role in getting the country through the pandemic.”

The weekend of remembrance, thanks and celebration will culminate with the NHS’ 73rd ‘birthday’ on Monday 5 July.

To aid the celebrations, the NHS is encouraging people to host an NHS ‘Big Tea’. You can sign up to host an NHS ‘Big Tea’ party through the Nottingham University Hospitals Charity website.

Visit www.nottinghamhospitalscharity.org.uk and search ‘Big Tea’ to receive details of how you can raise funds. Every penny raised will be used by the Charity to support our local NHS.