Nurses and midwives walked through London to celebrate the work they do and to raise money for charity.
A 50-strong team of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust staff and charity supporters walked from Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital, in White City, to St Mary’s Hospital, in Paddington.
Organised by the Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the four-mile walk raised fund’s for the charity’s £500,000 Birth Centre Appeal, which aims to expand and remodel the existing centre at Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital.
It took place on May 8, between the International Day of the Midwife (May 5) and International Day of the Nurse (May 12), and raised more than £600.
Professor Janice Sigsworth, director of nursing at the NHS trust, said: “This walk is a celebration of the contribution that nurses and midwives make. It’s part of a bigger national and international celebration of nursing and midwifery but we’re also raising money for charity while having a bit of fun.
“It’s the fourth year the walk has taken place and it has just gone from strength to strength. I am so pleased with the turn-out - it’s getting bigger and bigger every year.”
The proposed renovation of the birth centre at Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital includes creating a new birth room and birthing pool, the installation of air into every birth room so resuscitation cabinets can be installed and new antenatal consultation rooms.
Josephine Watterson, director of fundraising and communications at Imperial College Healthcare Charity, said: “It was great to see so many people taking part and we want to thank everyone who joined us. The event raised an incredible £663 in total, which will help us make a real difference to the birth centre.”
Money raised from the walk will be divided between Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Winnicott Foundation and St John’s Hospice.
You can support the Birth Centre Appeal online by visiting www.imperialcharity.org.uk/birth-centre, by texting BORN16 £10 to 70070, or by sending a cheque made payable to Imperial College Healthcare Charity (4406) to Imperial College Healthcare Charity, Ground Floor, Clarence Memorial Wing, St Mary’s Hospital, Praed Street, London, W2 1NY.
