If you live in Jasper you’ve almost certainly heard of Edith Cavell.
The British nurse worked in Belgium during the First World War, where she famously committed to treating all of the wounded, regardless of what side they fought for.
Eventually she started helping allied soldiers escape in 1913, spiriting more than 200 of them to safety in neutral Holland, before she was caught by German officials and executed, despite huge international outcry.
After her death, landmarks across the British Empire—including Jasper’s Mount Edith Cavell—were named in her honour, and an outpouring of support in the United Kingdom saw donations flow in in her honour.
Now, as the centenary of her death approaches, a UK organization has its eyes set on Jasper, as the perfect place to commemorate her life and legacy.
Next year, at the end of August, the Cavell Nurses Trust will send 100 representatives to Jasper, with the primary goal of sending a group of climbers to the top of Mount Edith Cavell.
The trust was formed in 1917, with the donations that flooded in after Cavell’s death. Since that time it has been dedicated to the dual mandates of education and providing welfare services to healthcare professionals: nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants.
Kate Tompkins is the chief executive of the trust. She explained that the 100-year anniversary of Cavell’s execution is the perfect opportunity to remind people of the nurse’s legacy, and of the work that’s done by the charity established in her honour.
“Next year we commemorate the 100th anniversary of her death, and really since that time we’ve been looking after nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants who find themselves in hard times,” Tompkins said.
The charity does that by providing welfare services to them in the form of counseling, advice and financial support where it’s needed. Many of its beneficiaries are elderly healthcare professionals who have worked in the industry for most of their lives, others have a terminal illness or a physical disability and need financial support to help them cover medical costs.
Each year the trust also gives out a number of scholarships to “the best and brightest” students in the field, allowing them to accept internships and work placements anywhere in the world they choose.
Jon Penhale is a consultant for the trust and is charged with planning the excursion to Jasper. In an interview Aug. 28 he explained that the “Cavell 100” is the trust’s biggest initiative yet.
The trust has always been dedicated to the services it provides, and educating the public about Edith Cavell, but has seen its profile diminish in the last couple of decades.
As First World War commemorations ramp up across the United Kingdom, the Jasper challenge is a way for the trust to increase its profile, build up a network of fundraisers across the country, attract more supporters and further spread the message of Edith Cavell’s legacy.
One hundred participants will raise £5,000—about $10,000—to take the weeklong trip to Jasper. Some of that money will go toward trip expenses, and the rest will go back into the trust to allow it to continue its work.
“Ultimately what the charity wants is to increase its profile. So people think, ‘yeah, OK, I’ve received great care from a nurse,’ or anyone that’s got children will have benefitted from the great care from midwives. I would like to do something to support the people who support me,” Penhale said.
Already, more than 20 people have began fundraising for the trip, which is being marketed across the United Kingdom as the adventure of a lifetime in one of Canada’s most beautiful destinations. Penhale said that the final group will be composed of people from all walks of life.
“It’s a massive range of people. It will be everything from student nurses through to qualified nurses and midwives,” as well as supporters from universities and colleges, ambassadors of the National Health Service, businesses and even the British military.
Even Tompkins hopes to make the trip, although she was a bit wary of summiting Edith Cavell’s peaks.
“I’m not promising to make it all the way up the mountain. I’m a nurse myself, so I said I would make the tea and tend to the injured,” she said with a laugh.
While in Jasper, the group will not only send a chunk of its members up the mountain, it will also send them across the park to take in all that Jasper has to offer, like rafting, hiking and kayaking. Tompkins said many are also excited to meet with local healthcare professionals.
Before the climb, the group will also gather at the base of Mount Edith Cavell for a commemoration ceremony.
“I hope that local people will come and support us. I hope we get to meet lots of people,” Tompkins said.
Trevor Nichols
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