Portsmouth nurse shielding due to cancer treatment fronts song to raise cash for Cavell Nurses' Trust

Sue Rourke from Portsmouth recorded the song Hope For Nurses from her living roomwith help fromsongwriters Jonathan Shirlaw and Martin Purvis, from Clanfield, with all proceeds going to Cavell Nurses’ Trust.

The trust supports nurses during tough times personally and financially and is currently experiencing an overwhelming demand for support due to the coronavirus.

Sue, who has been in nursing since she was 18, is unable to return to the front line in the fight against Covid-19 as she is currently undergoing treatment for kidney cancer, which she was diagnosed with in 2018.

The 48-year-old, who used to work at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham and now trains nurses and other health and social care students at the University of Portsmouth, said: ‘I think everyone on the front line are absolute heroes and I felt a bit guilty that I couldn’t help them but it wouldn’t be possible with my condition.

‘Being part of this and helping to raise money for a trust that does amazing work, makes me feel like I am doing my bit and making sure all my colleagues and others across the country will get the support they need at what is a really difficult time.

‘The job is difficult at normal times and what gets you through is the people you work with but at the moment there is the added pressures and also the fear of going to work and potentially contracting the virus themselves.

‘I hope the songs brings them some hope that this will all end and I think that message is applicable for everyone.’

The song, which has also been supported by members of the South Downe Musical Society, was written by Jonathan and Martin, who have been friends since they met at Oaklands School when they were 14 when they were writing a musical.

Jonathan, 56, said: ‘I loved the song but it didn’t fit with the musical but when everything started to kick off we wanted to release a song that had a positive message and would help the nurses who are putting themselves at risk to save lives.

‘I think the doctors are doing amazing but they get paid a bit more than the nurses who are the ones who are there holding patients’ hands when they die. Cavell Nurses’ Trust is there for them when they need it and I spoke to the team last week and they said never had they had so much demand and they have been running for 100 years.’

The trust’s fundraising manager John Harrison thanked the trio and SDMS for their hard work in a letter.

He wrote: ‘In March, we supported more nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants than ever before, and the number of downloads of our application form nearly tripled.

‘Thank you all so much for your wonderful contribution to the Hope For Nurses music single.’

The song can be streamed online. For more, see hopefornurses.com