MORE than £91,000 will be handed to Redditch based charity Cavell Nurses’ Trust to help explore the life and death of war heroine Edith Cavell.

Cavell, the First World War nurse who saved the lives of soldiers from both sides and helped some 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium, lives on through the charity which supports the UK's 650,000 registered nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) recently announced that a grant of £91,900 would go toward helping the trust to tell her story.

Simon Knighton, chairman of Cavell Nurses' Trust, said: "In keeping with the Edith Cavell legacy we are providing welfare assistance and scholarship support to nurses all around the country, and with a particular emphasis in Norfolk.

"Our plans to increase public awareness of the history and values embodied in nurse Edith Cavell herself will be of enormous assistance to the trust and we are very grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for supporting this.”

Carole Souter, from HLF, said: "Edith Cavell was and continues to be an inspiration across the world.

"The centenary of the First World War provides a moment not only to explore the incredible bravery she demonstrated in order to help others but also her outstanding professional achievements and the legacy she has left for modern day nursing."

The project will explore and share the many stories surrounding Cavell’s life and death including the use of her death in 1915 as propaganda to drive allied recruitment; the ceremonial repatriation of her body to the UK in 1919; her work in Belgium during the war; the stories of those she helped save; and her role as a key figure in professionalising nursing in the early 20th century.

Spanning 18 months, local people and volunteers will take part in a variety of activities exploring Cavell’s legacy and undertake extensive research that will be shared through events and workshops.

Residents will also be able to take part in guided walks and heritage trails and a number of exhibitions will take place across the UK.

For more information, visit cavellnursestrust.org.