A museum dedicated to Florence Nightingale and the history of nursing is battling to survive after nearly all its funding disappeared overnight.
2020 was meant to bring much celebration to the Florence Nightingale Museum, based in the grounds of St Thomas’ Hospital.
This year was heralded as ‘International Year of the Nurse and Midwife’ by the World Health Organisation, and next month also marks what would have been the lady of the lamp’s 200th birthday – May 12.
But with no admissions during the lockdown, 98 per cent of the museum’s revenue has now dried up.
Unless it can raise £65,000 to cover its running costs, the museum may be unable to re-open even after the lockdown is lifted.
“We know that many businesses at this time are struggling and will be in danger of closing so we thank you wholeheartedly for any support you can provide,” the museum’s team explain on a GoFundMe page.
“We’ve taken numerous steps to make monthly savings but still face high operational costs totalling upwards of £20,000 per month and with no clarity over when we’ll be allowed to re-open, and what the landscape for our sector will be like, we’ve decided to take the step to fundraise.
“Please help us by making a donation through our Go Fund Me page. Help us say ‘thank you’ to any nurses you know or who have helped you with a gift from our online shop or you could even buy a ticket for you and a friend to visit us in the future.
“We welcome and thank you for any and all donations, no matter how small.”
Fantastic to have the most popular historian on TV supporting our bid to 'Save the Museum'. Thank you @Lucy_Worsley we really appreciate your support. It's vital we keep inspiring nurses and women to be 'bloody difficult' when the need arises ? https://t.co/iPhFeBmaSL https://t.co/LL6UOzfuqw
— Florence Nightingale Museum ? (@florencemuseum) April 22, 2020
Nightingale is seen as the mother of modern-day nursing and pioneered hand washing and hygiene. The museum celebrates her legacy and that of all frontline healthcare workers.
A bicentenary exhibition due to be on display all year – Florence Nightingale in 200 objects- included the famous lamp from her time in Crimea.
Text 70085 to donate £10 or visit https://www.florence-nightingale.co.uk/
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