SUPPORTERS of the Redditch-based charity Cavell Nurses’ Trust recently enjoyed a prestigious royal date at the residency of the Belgian Ambassador.

Chief executive Kate Tompkins and acting chairman Steven Charlton from the charity, which has its headquarters in the centre of town, joined Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal at the event, hosted by Belgian Ambassador Guy Trouveroy and his wife at their London home.

The Princess Royal is president of the Edith Cavell Centenary Appeal, which aims to significantly boost the number of beneficiaries of the charity ahead of the 100th anniversary of the death of heroic nurse Edith Cavell in October 2015.

Edith Cavell was executed during the First World War after helping more than 200 Allied soldiers to escape from German-occupied Belgium.

The dinner was also attended by trustees including Susan Osborne and Christina Edwards.

It was an opportunity for Cavell Nurses’ Trust to recognise and thank its supporters for the contributions they have made and continue to make to the ongoing work of the charity.

Kate Tompkins said: “We were honoured that The Princess Royal, who is President of our Centenary Appeal, was able to attend this event.

“Nearly 100 years after the death of Edith Cavell we continue her living legacy of caring and learning. To continue our work we need to raise more than £1 million each year.”

The charity, which was set up in 1917 from a public appeal following Edith Cavell’s death, provides welfare advice and support to nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants who find themselves in need of help.

It currently supports 1,000 beneficiaries each year.

A series of sponsored events are taking place as part of the centenary appeal, headed by a climb to the peak of Mount Edith Cavell in Canada, in August next year.