Outstanding nursing students shortlisted for national award
Student Nurses from the University of Southampton have been shortlisted for a prestigious national award which recognises exceptional professional skills and potential. Alex Collyer and Annette Welch have been nominated for the UK's only scholarships for Student Nurses and Midwives, run by Cavell Nurses' Trust. Alex has been shortlisted for the Edith Cavell Leadership award and Annette is in the running for the Community title.
The finalists will be chosen next month by a panel of eminent judges, comprising leading nurses and midwives, including Professor Lesley Page, President of the Royal College of Midwives. Alex and Annette will be interviewed by the panel, alongside 27 other candidates.
Winners of the top awards will receive up to £2,000 to further their professional practice either in this country or internationally, in conjunction with their university.
Professor Jessica Corner, Dean of Health Sciences at the University of Southampton says: "We are delighted that Alex and Annette have been shortlisted for an award which is a testament to their hard work and abilities.
"We are pleased to support Cavell Nurses' Trust's student scholarships which further promote excellent nursing practice and individual development."
Previous winners of the scholarships have used these outstanding opportunities to study and work in India and Africa and last year's winner of the leadership award travelled to the Andes in Peru to help nurse families afflicted by poisoned water courses, a result of mining activity.
There are five award categories covering academic achievement, outstanding student midwife and nurse, leadership and community.
Cavell Nurses' Trust was formed in 1917 with overwhelming public support following the execution of British nurse Edith Cavell during World War One. The charity is urging people to support an online petition, calling for the inspirational nurse to be commemorated next year, the centenary of her death, on a special edition £2 coin, as part of the WW1 series of tributes. People can support the campaign via Change.org
The charity, which every year helps hundreds of nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants who have fallen on hard times, is also running a Centenary Appeal to raise a million by next year and double the number of people it supports. For further information about Cavell Nurses' Trust, please visit http://www.cavellnursestrust.org/ or call 01527 595999
Notes for editors
Cavell Nurses' Trust is a registered charity that supports the UK's 650,000 student, working and retired nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants who need financial help and support following illness, injury and other difficulties.
The Trust, formerly known as Nurse Aid, was established in 1917 in memory of Edith Cavell who died in occupied Belgium in 1915. It has provided financial support worth more than £2.5 million over the last five years to thousands of working and retired nurses, health care assistants and student nurses in need.
The annual Scholarship Awards aim to recognise exceptional student nurses and midwives in the UK. They are open to students currently studying nursing or midwifery on undergraduate/postgraduate or diploma courses at universities in the UK.
The Trust has launched a Centenary Appeal with the aim of raising a million by October 2015 to double the number of beneficiaries it supports.
The Princess Royal is President of the appeal. For further information please visit www.cavellnursestrust.org
For further press information please contact:
Jasmin Rana, Events and Individual Giving Manager, jasminr@cavellnursestrust.org
Vicky Law, Development Administrator, vickyl@cavellnursestrust.org
Pam Beecham, Media Support, beechampa@aol.com