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Emilia Clarke voices Royal College of Nursing video to celebrate International Nurses Day

Emilia Clarke gave a reading of Michael Rosen's poem These Are The Hands to mark the occasion: Royal College of Nursing
Emilia Clarke gave a reading of Michael Rosen's poem These Are The Hands to mark the occasion: Royal College of Nursing

Emilia Clarke has thanked nursing staff on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic as she fronted a video for International Nurses Day.

The Game of Thrones star gave a reading of Michael Rosen’s poem These Are The Hands, which was written in 2008 for the 60th anniversary of the NHS.

Clarke gave the reading in a video for the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) to mark the annual event on Tuesday.

Speaking at the end of the clip, she said: “As a proud RCN ambassador, thank you to all nursing staff. Happy International Nurses Day.”

Emilia Clarke gave a reading of Michael Rosen’s poem These Are The Hands to mark the occasion (Royal College of Nursing)
Emilia Clarke gave a reading of Michael Rosen’s poem These Are The Hands to mark the occasion (Royal College of Nursing)

The Crown actress Helena Bonham Carter was also among those to speak out as the world prepared to celebrate nursing staff on the bicentenary of Florence Nightingale's birth.

She urged the public to buy a symbolic white rose online, to help fund nurses and midwives.

Once lockdown ends, a floral display with real roses at Westminster Abbey will be unveiled, "marking and honouring the contribution of nurses and midwives everywhere".

The actress, whose great, great grandmother was Nightingale's aunt, said the Florence Nightingale Foundation campaign would appeal to anyone who wanted to "thank a particular nurse or midwife who has meant a lot to them".

She said: "Buying a white rose is a simple way to honour our nurses and midwives.

"We must never forget the sacrifice they make on an everyday basis during this time....

"My late father was nursed at home for 24 years by hundreds of different nurses. I'm indebted to every one of them. That is why I'm buying shedloads of roses!"

The Foundation said that a white rose "symbolises hope and rebirth" while Nightingale was also known to wear white rose perfume.

Nightingale was born on May 12, 1820.

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