The Florence Nightingale Foundation at Highclere Castle

The Florence Nightingale Foundation took part in a spectacular event arranged by the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon at their home Highclere Castle on Sunday the 16th October 2011 called 'Heroes at Highclere'.

The event had an armed forces and nursing theme and was held to raise money for several army charities, including Help for Heroes. The idea for the event was inspired by Highclere Castle having been turned into a hospital during WWI and the very popular TV series Downton Abbey, set in that era, which is filmed at Highclere. Many exhibitors dressed in authentic costumes and walking through the grounds you could meet anyone from a WWI infantry man to a spiv from WWII trying to sell you a set of black market nylons! It was all great fun yet told the story of how terrible war can be.

The Florence Nightingale Foundation had their own marquee with various displays portraying nursing through the ages from the Crimean War, through World Wars I and II, and up to the modern day.

Everyone took part in the theme of the day and the Chief Executive Elizabeth Robb donned the costume of Florence herself and presided over the day as she herself would have! The Chelsea pensioners took a very active role with us and one even had his leg bandaged by a young boy who wanted to see how bandages were applied.

By kind permission of Sir Stephen Lamport, Receiver General of Westminster Abbey, the lamp from the Florence Nightingale Chapel in Westminster Abbey was at the centre of the display.

We saw over 500 visitors to our marquee and at one point in the early afternoon there were 120 people in the tent. All in all the day was a splendid opportunity to raise the profile of The Foundation and its associates as well as to help and support fellow charities.

Our gratitude goes to all friends, colleagues and Trustees who helped on the day and provided such amazing displays:

• Natasha McEnroe on behalf of The Florence Nightingale Museum
• Trustee Bryan Wilson and his wife Bridget with displays from The Glenside Hospital Museum
• Trustees Katrina Cooney and Elaine Maxwell
• Honorary Vice President Geoffrey Walker and team from Poole Hospital
• Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service
• Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service
• Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps
• London South Bank University
• The League of Charing Cross Hospital Nurses
• 203 (Welsh) Field Hospital (Volunteers), part of the Territorial Army Medical Services
• and, of course, the Chelsea Pensioners.