Winter sleepout helps nursing trust

The intrepid sleepers camped out at the Budgens store in Sandy and are raising money to benefit four charities, one of which being Cavell Nurses’ Trust which gives welfare support to UK nurses, midwives, healthcare assistants and students experiencing financial or personal hardship, often because of illness, domestic abuse, disability, working poverty and older age.

Sandy resident and sleepout co-ordinator Ken Lynch spoke about the experience. He said: “We were pleased it wasn’t too cold and the money raised will help all the charities, especially supporting nurses facing hardship as the Cavell Nurses’ Trust was a great help to my late wife.”

Ken’s wife Audrey was a nurse for 44 years and the charity was able to support her at the end of her life.

He is keen to continue fundraising for Cavell Nurses’ Trust and in 2015 he threw himself out of a plane and completed a skydive in aid of the charity at the sprightly age of 77.

Ken added: “The fundraising doesn’t stop here. I’ve got lots of ideas for other events later this year in the local area.”

Edith Cavell was a British nurse during the First World War, celebrated for saving the lives of soldiers from both sides without distinction and in helping over 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium. She was arrested by the Germans, sent to trial and was executed by a firing squad.

Anyone wishing to find out more about Cavell Nurses’ Trust can visit www.cavellnursestrust.org