SA London terror victim Kirsty Boden honoured with scholarship for nursing students in her name
LONDON Bridge terror hero Kirsty Boden will be remembered through a scholarship for regional South Australian nursing students.
SOUTH Australian nurse Kirsty Boden died as she tried to help others in the London Bridge terror attack. Now a nursing scholarship in her name will help others carry on her legacy of “loving care”.
Ms Boden, 28, was dubbed the Angel of London Bridge after she was murdered by terrorists as she tried to help others injured in the June attack.
The scholarship, announced in London by Flinders University and the South Australian government, will award two nursing students $10,000 each to help with their studies.
Ms Boden was born in Loxton in regional South Australia and studied nursing at Flinders University before going to live in London in 2013.
Her partner James Hodder said the scholarship gave her family comfort because she loved being a nurse.
“The fact that there will be future generations going on to nursing with her name, and hopefully those who are in need as well, it means a lot to us.”
“Kirsty would be very proud to know that her name is being associated with nursing,” he said.
South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill said Ms Boden’s death “touched all South Australians” and the Government hoped the scholarship would honour her memory.
“The circumstances of her death also say something about the way in which she lived her life — a life that was selfless and one that we wanted to honour,” he said.
“In years to come, nursing students from regional South Australia just like Kirsty will get the support they need so they can carry on her legacy of loving care.
Mr Weatherill also laid a wreath later at London Bridge.
Flinders University Vice-Chancellor Prof Colin Stirling said Ms Boden was distinguished by her “generosity, selflessness and her determination to help others and to make a difference”.
”Her enthusiasm and zest for life made her much loved by staff and peers, and a natural
ambassador for the benefits of higher education and the discipline of nursing,” he said.
“These are the qualities we honour in celebrating Kirsty’s life and establishing this memorial
scholarship.”
Ms Boden did not hesitate to help after three attackers rammed a van into pedestrians on London Bridge on June 3, then stabbed revellers in nearby bars.
Eight people were killed, including Ms Boden and another Australian, 21-year-old Queensland woman Sara Zelenak.
Her death was felt keenly by the Loxton community.
Hundreds of mourners farewelled Ms Boden at her funeral in the Riverland town on June 26. Her heartbroken father, Ken Boden proudly told those gathered at the ceremony that his “sweet and independent” daughter “always gave 110 per cent”.
Mr Boden said his daughter, who was a talented swimmer and netballer, decided to become a nurse and studied nursing at Flinders University in Renmark.
She graduated in 2010 and worked as a nurse at the Loxton Hospital and then at Sydney’s Prince of Wales Hospital.
She volunteered to help children with disabilities in Vietnam and loved to travel.
Mr Boden said his daughter left for London in March, 2013.
“Kirsty was happy in London — she loved her life, she loved her (boyfriend) James,” he said.
“Kirsty meant to world to us and we are so proud of our beautiful, independent, adventurous, brave and kind sister and daughter. Kirsty, we will love you forever.”
Mr Hodder lovingly spoke about his partner of four years.
“I first met Kirsty when we both moved into the same flat in London just after Kirsty first moved to the UK,” he said.
“She completely floored me with her smile and kindness.”
Mr Hodder recalled a time when he and Ms Boden had coffee in Covent Garden, saying it was one of the many occasions when Ms Boden demonstrated her kindness.
“Kirsty looked over and saw a young woman visibly distressed and ill in the middle of the busy square,” he said.
- with AAP