Wishaw Nurses Support Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland with Tartan Tea Party 17 April 2025 A team of nurses at University Hospital Wishaw hosted a Tartan Tea Party to raise funds for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland to mark a colleague’s retirement. And there’s still time for people to sign up to Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s newest fundraiser and get your ‘brew crew’ together to support the 1 in 5 Scots living with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long Covid. The whole point of us having a Tartan Tea Party was because my friend and colleague Ann Marie Blaney, who is a Cardiology Specialist Nurse/ Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse, wanted to do something for charity before she retired. On 21st May – International Tea Day – Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s inaugural Tartan Tea Parties will take place across the country to raise much needed funds for people living with the conditions the leading health charity supports. The charity has encouraged as many people as possible in the region to take part in the Tartan Tea Party, from groups of friends and family, playgroups, nurseries and schools to sports clubs, community groups and businesses. Suzanne Clements, senior research nurse at University Hospital Wishaw, said: “Our Tartan Tea Party went really well and we had a good turnout considering people are busy and it can be hard at times to get away from wards. “Overall we made £386 so that was really good. People enjoyed themselves and had a wee chat and ate lots of goodies. “The whole point of us having a Tartan Tea Party was because my friend and colleague Ann Marie Blaney, who is a Cardiology Specialist Nurse/ Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse, wanted to do something for charity before she retired. “Ann Marie has worked in Cardiac Rehabilitation Service for 17 years and has managed many patients with heart conditions and their cardiac rehab through this service. She has collaborated with CHSS over the years and it made sense to take part.” “Ann Marie has worked in Cardiac Rehabilitation Service for 17 years and has managed many patients with heart conditions and their cardiac rehab through this service. She has collaborated with CHSS over the years and it made sense to take part.” The event is being supported by Scottish baker, author, GP and Great British Bake Off finalist, Dr James Morton. He said: “This is such a wonderful opportunity to bring people together to support each other and to be there for those who have been through such hardship. “I believe we’ll all know someone who has suffered from one of the many conditions that CHSS can help with, and this is our opportunity to talk about it, spread the word about the great work CHSS is doing and why you should support them.” CHSS supports people across the country living with its conditions to live their lives to the full. The charity is on hand to provide advice and support through its free Advice Line service, stroke nurses, online health information, support groups, supported self management courses and much more. CHSS aims to reach 175,000 people living with its conditions by 2028 through its Community Healthcare Support Services. Funds raised through activities such as the Tartan Tea Party are essential in supporting this goal. Louise Macleod, Community Fundraiser at CHSS said: “We’re delighted to see so many people like the team at University Hospital Wishaw taking part in our inaugural Tartan Tea Party and wish everyone hosting a party all the best. “At CHSS, we say ‘never underestimate the power of a cup of tea’. Living with or supporting someone with one of our conditions can be challenging and events such as the Tartan Tea Party are crucial to create time for people to get together, share support and advice as well as have fun.” To access free resources to help you organise a Tartan Tea Party to remember, head to chss.org.uk/tartan-tea-party Our friendly fundraising team is also on hand to help you at every step of the way. You can contact them by emailing fundraising@chss.org.uk or calling 0131 297 2750.