James Paget staff member to lead Nation's Toast to the Heroes

She'll be one of four leading the toast at 1pm today (Monday 5th July).

Author: Abi SimpsonPublished 5th Jul 2021
Last updated 5th Jul 2021

A member of staff from the James Paget Hospital will be one of four in the UK to lead a toast to the Nation's Heroes, as part of celebrations to mark the NHS' 73rd birthday today.

Events are planned across the country today, including the NHS Big Tea, and at 1pm there'll be a Nation's Toast to the Heroes.

It's going to be led by four women who will be at the top of the highest peaks in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Tara Haines, who's a Project Manager at the James Paget's Transformation Team, will be at the top of Scafell Pike.

She'd previously been planning to raise money for the hospital by hiking the peak back in May 2020, to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

But due to the pandemic, it was postponed.

She said: "I am extremely honoured to have been asked to lead the Nation's Toast to the heroes of the NHS, social care and frontline workers from the summit of Scafell Pike. The four of us will represent staff who are constantly playing such a brave and vital role in our battle against the virus.

“Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England at 978m, and it is a tough, steep hike that will involve scrambling over hard terrain – and of course I have to reach the summit before the Toast at 1pm, so it is involving some planning.

“I am proud to say I have worked in the NHS at the James Paget for over 25 years and I will be raising funds to assist with enhancing our hospital's facilities.

"Every breath and step I make on my ascent to the summit of Scafell Pike, will be in thanks to all the heroes of the NHS and in memory of all those, including my own father, who have died over last year.

“Thank you to all those who have already sponsored me.”

The toast Tara will give at 1pm today will be: "To those who give so much, 24hours a day, seven days a week within the NHS, social care and on the front line, we thank and salute you."

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