The Mayday for Nurses fund was set up as part of a campaign by economist Dr Noreena Hertz to support nurses after prolonged periods of ill health, employment disputes, divorces or other unavoidable costly situations.
Dr Hertz said earlier this year that more than 250 footballers had pledged a total of £750,000, but reports this week suggest that just £200,000 of this has been collected to date.
An RCN spokesman admitted donations had not reached expected levels, but added: ‘Donations had reached a level where we could launch the fund and start making awards for nurses in need.’
RCN general secretary Peter Carter said the fund would ‘offer a helping hand to nurses in times of hardship’. He added: ‘I’d like to publicly applaud all those professional footballers who dug deep and gave generously.’
To apply for support from Mayday for Nurses, contact maydayfornurses@rcn.org.uk.
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