Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members and other supporters have completed a 1500 mile walk around the UK as part of the organisation’s centenary celebrations.
Those who took part carried a replica of Florence Nightingale’s lantern to every RCN office in the country, in the union’s biggest employee event ever. Launched on Monday 4 April in Exeter, the journey came to an end at a special celebration on Friday 21 October in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
‘This project was our most ambitious staff event to date and I am delighted that all the hard work has paid off,’ said Matthew Batten, organisational development adviser at the RCN. ‘A journey of this length is no easy feat, but RCN staff embraced this unique opportunity with incredible enthusiasm.’
Participants raised more than £5000 for the RCN Foundation, which supports nurses in the UK and overseas. All of this money raised will be used to help nurses in need, to help them get their lives back on track after facing adversity which can be caused by illness, financial hardship, domestic violence or disability.
‘This is a monumental achievement for RCN staff, members, family and friends, and I am so proud of everyone who contributed to this centenary celebration,’ added Mr Batten.