The Crown actress Helena Bonham Carter is marking the bicentenary of Florence Nightingale’s birth.
She is urging the public to buy a symbolic white rose online, to help fund nurses and midwives.
Once lockdown ends, a floral display with real roses at Westminster Abbey will be unveiled, “marking and honouring the contribution of nurses and midwives everywhere”.
The actress, whose great, great grandmother was Nightingale’s aunt, said the Florence Nightingale Foundation campaign would appeal to anyone who wanted to “thank a particular nurse or midwife who has meant a lot to them”.
She said: “Buying a white rose is a simple way to honour our nurses and midwives.
“We must never forget the sacrifice they make on an everyday basis during this time….
“My late father was nursed at home for 24 years by hundreds of different nurses. I’m indebted to every one of them. That is why I’m buying shedloads of roses!”
The Foundation said that a white rose “symbolises hope and rebirth” while Nightingale was also known to wear white rose perfume.
Nightingale was born on May 12, 1820.
Information is at https://florence-nightingale-foundation.org.uk/florencenightingalewhiteroseappeal/
