Inspired by the gesture of their parents, children of the Belgian diplomats made a drawing that is presented to Cavell Nurses’ Trust as a symbolic gesture accompanying this donation.

Embassy staff supporting nurses and midwives this Christmas

Generous staff working at the Embassy of Belgium in the United Kingdom have made a donation of £15,000 to Cavell Nurses’ Trust, the charity supporting nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants, working or retired, in the UK.

In 1917, a fund was created to care for the nation’s nurses in memory of British nurse Edith Cavell. Edith is celebrated for saving the lives of soldiers during WWI whilst running a hospital in Brussels. Because she helped 200 Allied soldiers reach freedom from German-occupied Belgium, Edith Cavell was arrested, found guilty of treason and sentenced to death on 12 October 1915.

Cavell Nurses’ Trust continues to this day supporting nursing and midwifery staff in the UK who are facing a personal or financial crisis, often due to illness, disability, domestic abuse or the impact of Covid-19.

The Embassy of Belgium staff, based in London, are keen to support nursing and midwifery staff on the frontline of Covid-19 care this winter across the UK. They released a statement explaining why the donation is so important,

“Keeping alive the spirit of solidarity that is in the DNA of the relation between our two countries, Ambassador van der Pluijm and the diplomats at the Embassy of Belgium in the UK have therefore taken the initiative to donate a part of their personal allowances to Cavell Nurses’ Trust. The donation will help fund grants to financially support nurses and midwives over the Christmas and New Year period. Indeed, since the pandemic hit the UK, there has been a 175% increase in the number of nurses needing the charity’s help, compared to the same period in 2019.”

John Orchard, Chief Executive at Cavell Nurses’ Trust reacted to the news of the donation,

“We’re incredibly grateful to the staff at the Embassy of Belgium for choosing to generously support UK nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants this Christmas. As the pandemic resurges, healthcare staff are being called on again to face Covid-19 on the frontline. Despite this, they will continue to need our help.

“The impact of this huge health emergency will be felt by this precious workforce for many months to come so donations like this are so vital at the moment.

“Edith Cavell remains an inspiration to many within nursing and beyond and we’re proud and privileged to both maintain her legacy in our work and to share in this legacy with our neighbours in The Kingdom of Belgium.”

Anyone wishing to donate to support nursing and midwifery staff this winter can make a donation.

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