Chairman of Cavell Nurses’ Trust, Simon Knighton is no stranger to mountaineering, and in recent years has climbed both Everest and Kilimanjaro. Simon has now climbed Mt Edith Cavell in the Canadian Rockies, in honour of a First World War nurse that both the charity and mountain are named after.
In 1917 the charity was founded, following the death of Edith Cavell two years earlier, for helping 200 Allied soldiers escape German-occupied Belgium. Cavell Nurses’ Trust maintains Edith’s legacy by supporting nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants who find themselves in financial difficulties through problems such as ill health.
In August 2015, the charity is running a large-scale sponsored ascent of Mt Edith Cavell in commemoration of 100 years since the death of Edith Cavell. The appeal seeks to significantly increase the number of beneficiaries that the charity seeks to help. Following Simon’s ascent of the mountain, he said:
“I can now personally testify that the 100 people who come out to Jasper to commemorate the centenary of Edith Cavell’s death will have a tremendous experience, and I tried a number of the challenges that will be available to people of all skill and experience levels.”
“The mountain itself is within reach of those who are fit and determined enough and views from the summit ridge on Mt Edith Cavell are spectacular.”
“But you don’t have to be a mountaineer to have a huge amount of memorable fun on related challenges all around the Edith Cavell area while raising funds for this very worthwhile cause.”
“Our hosts in Jasper couldn’t be friendlier and have undertaken to work closely with us to rekindle the Edith Cavell legacy.”
As part of its Centenary Appeal events programme, there will be a lecture by mountaineer Doug Scott in the village of Aldbourne, Wiltshire, on 10th October from 7:30pm.
For more information about the charity, including the lecture, please visit Cavell Nurses’ Trust.