QARNNS NATIONAL ARBORETUM MEMORIAL APPEAL

05 Nov 09

Thanks for the stirling efforts of individuals, particularly members of the association the Memorial Appeal now stands at just under £6500, which is just £1500 away from the £8000 target.  A celebrity cookbook is now available through the QARNNS Associations with profits going to the memorial appeal.  Keep up the good work and the ideas coming in about fundraising schemes.  

The members of QARNNS and its Association have been allocated a new plot of land alongside the Royal Navy’s flotilla of oaks at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and are looking to raise the £8.000 needed to provide a stone and benches as a memorial to all those who served and are still serving, as Naval Nurses since 1884 and QARNNS since 1902. In today’s strained financial climate this is no easy task so we are appealing to anyone who has served in, had relatives in, or has cause to be grateful for care received from QARNNS to help us reach our target.

The National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire is in the National Forrest and as the thousands of trees planted there mature, they provide a stunning place in which to remember all those who have served or are serving in both military and civilian organizations.

Sketches of the proposed memorial, attached, will provide a boulder of Blue Pearl Granite, polished on one side with the QARNNS emblem engraved and picked out in red and gold and the words etched in gold. The stoen will sit directly on the grass making maintenance minimal. Two benches made of the same granite will curve out from the stone like caring arms and two Rowan trees ( used to make stretcher poles during the first world war) will be planted either side and just behind the stone.

If we could get £5 from each member we would have over half required and would be in a good position to aim for completion and dedication next year before QARNNS go off again to Afghanistan. Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra has graciously offered to attend a fundraising event and has expressed a wish to attend the dedication ceremony.

Donations can be made by sending a cheque made payable to QARNNS Memorial Arboretum Fundraising to

J.C. Brown ARRC c/o 52 Wootten Road, Lee-on-the-Solent, Hants, PL13 9HB, enclosing a stamped self addressed envelope if you need a receipt. Your support is very much appreciated,

thank you.

E.Seward

Chairman QARNNS Memorial Appeal.

QARNNS ARBORETUM FUNDRAISING

All those previous and serving members of QARNNS are encouraged to make a donation or raise funds:

1.                  If you have a birthday or anniversary coming up and don’t need more ‘stuff’ you could ask for donations to the fund.

2.                  Hold a Strawberry Tea, Soup and Sandwich lunch, Cocktails and Canapés, Bacon Butty Breakfast or Black Tie Dinner and invite family, friends and neighbours to buy tickets.

3.                  Hold a ‘Frock Swap’

4.                  Do a sponsored swim, slim, cycle ride, silence, or marathon (well, we can but hope!)

As a national event it is proposed that we publish a Recipe Book to include recipes from QARNNS and celebrities, more details will be given at the AGM.  Matron in Chief is investigating the possibility of an event on board HMS VICTORY or RFA ARGUS when she comes out of refit.

Whatever you do please keep it legal and have fun. 

Many thanks,

 Ellen Seward and Captain Helen Allkins, Matron in Chief QARNNS

Photos of the current plot are below.  The diagrams above are of the potential new memorial