We've had the biggest financial crash in history, austerity and three years of pay stagnation for nurses. Poverty is an issue for most clinicians – its effects fill waiting rooms. But for some nurses it is now knocking at their own door.In real terms since 2010 we had a pay cut of 14%. Another year of pay restraint means more and more nurses and health care assistants are being forced to consider their future in the profession they love. Frontline staff cannot sustain this situation for much longer.
Charities and union benevolent funds have seen a steady increase in nurses seeking financial aid and even help with basic necessities in recent years. A lot of frontline health workers are only one pay cheque away from poverty.
A few years ago, after my marriage ended, I was struggling to juggle my finances, having to pay for extra rent on new accommodation, and the utility bills on my own. I nearly became homeless but The Royal College of Nursing benevolent fund came to my rescue and gave me financial and social support and helped me get back on my feet. Thanks to them I’m still doing the profession I loved. I know how stressful it is to have to choose between paying the electricity bill, or buying food today. Then you get a letter from the landlord to say rent is due, it’s very easy to get into debt problems.
I decided than one day I would help other Nurses who are going through financial hardship like me. That day has arrived.
On the 29th May I will be running a Marathon to raise much needed funds for Cavell Trust.( https://www.cavellnursestrust.org )
I have chosen to run in aid of the Cavell Nurses’ Trust because they help not only active Nurses, they have also help healthcare assistants, midwives, student and retired nurses as well .
But I will be running a marathon with a twist. I will be doing a Tweetathon.
What’s a “Tweetathon”? I am going to tweet live while running. Also I am going to stop at every mile point during the marathon, take a selfie and mention a fact about Edith Cavell and Cavell Trust.
It’s the first in the world as far as I can tell! On that day I will need as much support as needed. You can follow my progress and interact with me live following my tweeter account @thebestjoan. Tell your friends, colleagues and families. And if you live near Liverpool please come and see me. Give me a shout. We can even do a selfie together. On 29th May we can make history together.
But I need more than moral support, I need a donation from you. Last year Cavell Trust help over 1300 Nurses, Midwives and HCA like Michelle (https://www.cavellnursestrust.org/your-support-in-action/michelles-story?platform=hootsuite) and your donation will mean that they will be able continue to help more people in the future
If you would like to sponsor me you can visit my JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/tweetathon By the other hand you can also sponsor a mile of my marathon. If you sponsor a mile for just £50 your name will appear on all the pictures I will tweet during that mile. Thank you very much for your support and donations! I hope to see you on the 29th May.