To capture her spirit and remind people of the importance of the nursing profession, a memorial statue is planned for the grounds of St. Thomas's hospital, in London, in memory of Crimean War heroine Mary Seacole.
An appeal, 'The Mary Seacole Memorial Statue Appeal,' was set-up to raise monies to erect a figure of the Jamaican-Scottish nurse in the hospital grounds, overlooking the River Thames and the Houses of Parliament.
Targeting £500.000, well over £400,000 has been raised, with endorsement from the likes of Olympic gold medal heptathlon, Denise Lewis OBE, who is an Ambassador to the charity, along with actress/comedienne Judith Jacobs and Joan Myers OBE.
Whilst we all remember Florence Nightingale for her nursing prowess, Mary Seacole showed great bravery in nursing soldiers on the front-line in the Crimean War, between 1853 and 56 and the memorial statue, sculpted by internationally renowned sculptor Martin Jennings, will commemorate the life of Britain's greatest Black heroine, who gave her life's work in support of others.
The campaign is continuing, aimed at securing the remaining £60,000 needed to erect the memorial come this autumn.
