'Nurses Never Run' by Eileen Gershon

We were delighted when Eileen Gershon got in touch with us last year about a book she was writing detailing her time spent as a trainee nurse at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge. She was aware of our two ‘Homes from Home; at the hospital, Acorn and Chestnut Houses, so wanted to donate the proceeds of her autobiography to us. Now the book has been published and is available for purchase, we took the time to speak to Eileen about this exciting project.

“‘Nurses Never Run’ is the autobiography of a 1960s Trainee Nurse at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge.

“One sleepless night I decided to sell the book for The Sick Children’s Trust and specifically the charity’s houses in Cambridge. Sick children and babies come to Addenbrooke’s Hospital from a huge catchment area and I believe somewhere for their parents and siblings to stay nearby is essential to the well-being of the whole family.

“This book was written as an heirloom for my grandchildren because I can only wish I had something my grandmother had written about her time at Cambridge University over a century ago, and wanted my little ones to know one day what their Granny did.

“I used the letters I wrote and posted at the time so that the reader can recapture the fun I had living in Cambridge and experience my training as a student nurse at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. In the book you can meet my friends, face my fears and heartbreak, my joys and frustrations, and learn about the patients I shall never forget.

“I have been completely honest. I wanted my autobiography to bring both the caring vocation of nursing and the 1960s vividly back to life."

The Sick Children’s Trust Chief Executive, Jane Featherstone, says: “We are absolutely delighted that Eileen has made this wonderful dedication to The Sick Children’s Trust. Not only will it raise vital funds to keep our Cambridge ‘Homes from Home’ running, but it will raise awareness of the need for such accommodation. We’d like to say, from the bottom of our hearts, a huge thank you to Eileen for such generosity.”

The Sick Children’s Trust runs two ‘Homes from Home’ in Cambridge, Acorn House which supports families with seriously ill children at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Chestnut House which supports families with children being treated at The Rosie Hospital.

More information about the book and how to buy your copy of ‘Nurses never run’ is available here: http://eileengershon.com/