Students embarking on a degree in nursing at the University of Glasgow will be welcomed by fundraiser and campaigner Olivia Giles on 5 October 2007 who will give a lecture on the importance of Person-Centred Nursing.

During the annual Edward McGirr lecture, Olivia will also discuss with new and existing students the charity she is developing, 500 miles, which aims to help provide prosthetic limbs to people around the world who have lost limbs. Since contracting meningococcal septicaemia and undergoing quadruple amputations, Olivia Giles, has fought to increase awareness of meningitis and raise funds to combat the disease.  As a volunteer fundraiser she has also made great contributions to the Meningitis Research Foundation and to the Meningitis Trust.

Head of the Division of Nursing and Health Care, Margaret Sneddon, said: “It is fantastic that someone as inspirational as Olivia Giles will be coming to the University to speak to our students. Issues such as Person-Centred Nursing are very topical and it is important that students engage with these issues as well as developing the skills necessary for a career in nursing and health care.”

During the summer graduations Olivia Giles was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of the University by the University of Glasgow for her dedication to her charity work.

Notes to editors

For more information contact Kate Richardson in the University of Glasgow’s Media Relations Office on 0141 330 3683 or email k.richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk

First published: 2 October 2007

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