Mary Seacole statue restored following vandalism incident

The statue, located outside of St Thomas’ Hospital in London, depicts Ms Seacole, a pioneering nurse who has been immortalised for her nursing efforts during the Crimean War.

However, it was defaced earlier this month by vandals who splattered gold, yellow and white paint across the statue and the backdrop. Graffiti was also written on the statue’s plinth.

While the graffiti did not contain any obvious political symbols, the recent racist riots and anti-immigrant rhetoric taking place across the UK led many to believe that the vandalism was racially motivated.

Trevor Sterling, chair of the Mary Seacole Trust, told Nursing Times, that the charity felt it was important to respond to the vandalism by “keeping with Mary Seacole’s characteristics” and showing “resilience and determination”.

He said: “Working in partnership with the excellent team at Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust, we very quickly instructed Taylor Pearce to undertake the restoration which was completed within a matter of days; restoring the statue, plinth and light to a beautiful condition.”

The statue was first unveiled in 2016 after a 12-year campaign by the Mary Seacole Statue Appeal, and was part funded by the UK government.

Trevor Stirling with Sadiq Khan

It became the first statue in the UK to be created in the image of a named Black woman.

The Mary Seacole Trust announced on social media platform X that it had met with London mayor Sadiq Khan on 21 August to update him on the investigation into the vandalism, as well as the restoration undertaken.

Mr Sterling added: “The mayor has supported the work of the Mary Seacole Trust throughout and fully recognises the significance of the statue as a symbol of unity and diversity.

“We express our sincere gratitude to all involved in the restoration and to the Seacole community for the many kind donations and expressions of support.”