Celebrating the NHS’ 75th Anniversary: Liverpool FC Foundation’s Red Neighbours Open Top Bus Tour
This week, the Liverpool FC Foundation’s Red Neighbours community team will board the Reds’ open top bus to thank local hospital staff and celebrate the NHS’ 75th anniversary. The ‘You Are Our Champions’ open top bus tour will set off from Anfield on Wednesday 5th July complete with Champions League trophy to visit six local hospitals across the Liverpool city region.
LFC Legends Alan Kennedy and John Barnes will join LFC and LFC Foundation staff on the open top bus tour to meet and greet NHS staff, take pictures, sign autographs and hand out some LFC goodies. The tour is part of the Red Neighbours programme, which aims to make a difference to those who live in the club’s surrounding communities.
What is the Red Neighbours Programme?
Launched in 2017, the Red Neighbours programme is a community initiative from Liverpool FC Foundation that focuses on four key areas of need: food poverty and education, support for the elderly community, creating memorable experiences for young people, and encouraging a physically active community.
Regular visits to local hospitals, hospices and care homes are part of Red Neighbours’ activities. LFC staff volunteers support the visits, which aim to lift the spirits of both patients and staff with friendly chats and fun sing-alongs.
Forbes Duff, head of community engagement, Liverpool FC Foundation, said: “We are looking forward to our open top bus tour this week and meeting with the incredible people who work so tirelessly to support one of our country’s greatest institutions. We hope our visit brings fun and enjoyment to hospital staff and celebrates the NHS on its big birthday.”
Impact of Red Neighbours Programme
During the 2022/23 season, the Red Neighbours programme has given away over £158,000 worth of goods to the local community including LFC stadium tour vouchers, goodie bags, gifts, free school tickets and food provisions. Engaging with over 69,000 beneficiaries, this includes providing 52,000 weekly meals, feeding over 2,200 people with Breakfast Club to You hampers and donating over 2,700 match tickets to local schools, community groups and charities.
The ‘You Are Our Champions’ open top bus tour is just one of many initiatives that the Red Neighbours programme has undertaken in order to make a difference in the local community. It is a great way to celebrate the NHS’ 75th anniversary and thank local hospital staff for their hard work and dedication.
Conclusion
Liverpool FC Foundation’s Red Neighbours programme has had a significant impact on the local community since its launch in 2017. Through initiatives such as the ‘You Are Our Champions’ open top bus tour, they have been able to give back to those who live in the club’s surrounding communities by providing meals, gifts, match tickets and more.
The open top bus tour is a great way to celebrate the NHS’ 75th anniversary and thank local hospital staff for their hard work and dedication. It is sure to be an enjoyable experience for everyone involved and a memorable way to mark this special occasion.
