STAFF and patients in Warrington Hospital will be marking the 72nd birthday of the NHS this weekend.

The trust will join in others in lighting a candle for those who have died from coronavirus today, Saturday.

The Trust will especially be remembering its own and much missed Joselito Habab, an exceptional nurse and clinical educator who lost his fight in May.

On Sunday at 5pm they will ‘pause for applause’ with the NHS clap ringing out.

Later on Sunday at 9.45pm, Warrington Hospital will light up blue joining the nationwide #LightitBlue effort in the biggest ‘thank you’ The trust will also be sharing messages of thanks to the local communities across Halton, Warrington and further afield, who have come together to support staff and patients during the pandemic.

Chief Executive Professor Simon Constable says: “The support we have received has been simply overwhelming from individual, company and community contributions in a wide range of gestures. We were also extremely grateful to have received a share of the funds raised by NHS Charities, galvanised by the efforts of Captain Sir Tom Moore who alone raised over £30m.

“We are asking everybody to briefly stop what they’re doing and join us to mark this special birthday of our NHS, our national treasure. This is an opportunity to not just thank the NHS, but all the other key workers and those that have volunteered or helped to keep services and community networks going. We want to celebrate and say ‘thank you’ for the collective efforts of everyone that has supported us over recent months.”

The Trust has invited the public and their families to celebrate them and let them know how much they are appreciated by:

• Joining the ‘pause for applause’ (please observe social distancing if coming on to hospital premises)

• Lighting a remembrance candle at 8pm on Saturday

• Follow the social media celebrations

  • Say ‘thank you’ to staff, volunteers and the community – tag @whhnhs and @whhcharity (Twitter) @WarringtonandHaltonHospitalsNhsFoundationTrust and @Warrington and Halton Hospitals Charity (facebook) or @whhnhs (Instagram)using the hashtag #ThankYouTogether.