Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service

MDHU Peterborough Thanksgiving Day Service 7 June 2009

On Sunday 7 June 2009, MDHU Peterborough held the Princess Mary’s Royal Air force Nursing Service Thanksgiving Day for the east of England region at RAF Wittering. We had the honour of hosting Group Captain Gross, Director Nursing Services (RAF) and Group Captain Higgins, Station Commander of RAF Wittering.

The celebrations commenced in the Officers’ Mess with light refreshments and an opportunity for personnel to network and reminisce with colleagues.

The Service was held at the Multi-faith centre, where Padre (Wg Cdr) Elliot led a lively service with his main focus being ‘The Healing Touch’. He provided the entire congregation with a smoothed stone to emphasise the importance of our sense of touch and how we as nurses can utilise this when comforting patients both in the UK and overseas. The readings were given by Flying Officer Riozzi and Corporal Dachtler.

Following the church service the congregation returned to the Officers’ Mess to enjoy a hot buffet and drinks, allowing more time for personnel to swap stories from past and recent deployments.

A collection was taken during the church service and the monies raised will be donated to RAF Medical Services Memorial Fund.

There were also PMRAFNS Thanksgiving Day Services held at St Anne’s Church, Portsmouth followed by Lunch in the Mountbatten Bar, Fort Blockhouse, St Bartholomew’s Church, Edgbaston, with lunch at the Walker Memorial Hall and also at RAF Akrotiri.

The photographs shown are from MDHU Peterborough and RAF Akrotiri PMRAFNS Thanksgiving Day Services.

Flt Lt R Davies PMRAFNS

MDHU Peterborough