Cavell Nurses' Trust lays wreath to honour nurse hero

The contribution made by Edith Cavell to the nursing profession was honoured today on the anniversary of her execution

Members of the Cavell Nurses’ Trust – named in honour of the first world war nurse – attended a wreath-laying ceremony at her statue in Trafalgar Square, London.

Miss Cavell is celebrated for saving the lives of soldiers from both sides of the conflict, regardless of nationality, but was executed on 12 October 1915 after helping 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium during the war.

The event was attended by 70 guests including the deputy lord mayor of Westminster and representatives from the Embassy of Belgium in the UK, the Royal London Hospital, the Royal British Legion and the Escape Lines Memorial Society.

'Inspiration to many'

Cavell Nurses’ Trust chairman Simon Knighton said: ‘We are delighted to see so many people paying their respects to Edith Cavell and honouring her memory.

‘To this day she remains an inspiration to many.’

The trust supports current and former UK nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants when they experience personal or financial hardship.

Calls for its help rose 32% in the first half of this year, compared to the same period in 2016.

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