Vale of York residents are being invited to write goodwill messages or sign their names in a giant birthday card as part of celebrations to mark 70 years of the NHS.

The NHS, one of Britain’s most treasured institutions, turns 70 on 5 July and the NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has created a 4ft high birthday card to mark the occasion.

In the weeks leading up to the 70^th birthday, the birthday card will be touring all four corners of the Vale of York so people can sign their names or write their messages to express what the NHS means to them and their families.

The card’s first public appearance takes place today (Friday 1 June) in Parliament Street in York city centre between 9.30am and 1pm, before moving on to Acomb (Front Street) between 2.30pm and 3.30pm.

The card is scheduled to visit Easingwold (15 June) and Selby (18 June), before rounding off its journey across the Vale of York at the CCG’s 1940s-themed NHS70 birthday party at West Offices in York city centre on 5 July.

The card will visit several other locations across the city and the Vale of York during June.

Members of the public are also invited to sign pledge cards to do something positive to improve their health and wellbeing. The pledges can be as broad or as specific as you like.

Dr Nigel Wells, Vale of York CCG’s Clinical Chair, said: “The CCG has lots of events planned to celebrate 70 years of the NHS – both in the run-up to the birthday and on the day itself – and it would be great if we can get as many people from the Vale of York involved as possible.

“So if you see the 4ft birthday card when you’re out and about feel free to sign your name or write a message to convey what the NHS means to you. The card is touring many parts of the Vale of York so there’s plenty of opportunities to write your messages.”

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