OVER 150 residents from Bradford District and Craven gathered together to celebrate the work of local healthcare staff at the annual NHS Christmas carol service at Bradford Cathedral.

Current and former NHS staff across Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven – along with their friends and family and partner organisations – joined the service on Thursday evening.

The event was organised by NHS Bradford City, District and Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven clinical commissioning groups (CCGs).

Lord Mayor of Bradford, Cllr Abid Hussain, attended and the congregation enjoyed a performance by the cathedral’s choir and a series of readings from current and former NHS staff.

The service was broadcast live on Radio Royal Bradford, Bradford Royal Infirmary’s hospital radio station, so that patients could also feel part of the event.

This was our third annual NHS carol service and it was well attended and very much enjoyed by everyone who came along.

The event celebrates the work of the NHS as we recognise that many staff spend their Christmas caring for others, away from their own family and friends. Staff work tirelessly around the clock all year round, but being away from loved ones at this time of year is particularly poignant for many.

This gave us the opportunity to join together, celebrate and give thanks for the hard work of our healthcare teams.

It also provided us with the opportunity to raise money for local charities, and half of all money raised will be donated to Bradford Central Food Bank to help those who are in crisis at Christmas.

This time next year the NHS will have reached 70 and we’re hoping to make the 2018 event even bigger and brighter!

HELEN HIRST

Chief officer at the CCGs