Student nurse receives charity co-funded graduation award
A graduating student nurse who was inspired to take up the profession following volunteer work in Africa has been recognised with a special award.
Flora Allison, who is 23 and from Farnham in Surrey, received the Student Nurse Academic Achievement award having recently completed her nursing degree studies at Chichester University.
The award was co-sponsored by Rod and Jill Gilchrist, and My University Hospital Sussex Charity.
“When I was 17, I went to Ghana and worked in medical clinics in rural areas for three weeks, which we organised ourselves with the help of Farnham College,” said Flora, “It was a completely different world where I was looking after very young children with malaria.
“From that moment on I knew I wanted to be a nurse. It was a great experience. I cried when I heard about winning this award. I worked so hard and it’s great to be recognised for that. I’m honoured!”
Rod and Jill Gilchrist kindly donated £15,000 to the bursary in the memory of Mary, Rod’s mother, who was a well-respected local nurse. The donation was match funded by My University Hospitals Sussex Charity that supports patient care at seven NHS hospitals in Sussex, including St Richard’s in Chichester.
Steve Crump, Director of My University Hospitals Sussex Charity, said: “We are delighted to recognise the extraordinary work of nursing students and the memory of Mary Gilchrist. Education and continuous professional development are key to effective care for patients and the developing careers of NHS staff. This is why My UHSussex Charity funds learning and development in all the hospitals it supports.”
Nita Muir, Head of Nursing and Allied Health at the University of Chichester said: “I am delighted to present Flora with this award which recognises her hard work and outstanding academic achievement throughout the three years of her degree studies. Flora will make an excellent nurse and will be an asset to the community.
The generous joint bursary funds both the Student Nurse Academic Achievement award that Flora won, and the Mary Gilchrist Prize for Academic Endeavour Against the Odds for second year students.
Mary Gilchrist was a theatre sister in London hospitals during the darkest days of the Second World War, narrowly missing death from German bombs on many occasions. She later trained as a midwife and psychiatric nurse, dedicating herself to helping children with disabilities and their parents among the poor of East London for which she won many awards.
