A new memorial garden at Royal Preston Hospital was officially launched with a public opening yesterday, which was created by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity to honour organ donors and those who lost their lives in the Covid-19 pandemic.
The project was made possible thanks to a generous £100,000 grant from NHS Charities Together, which helped fund memorial gardens at both Chorley and South Ribble Hospital and Royal Preston Hospital, along with £5,000 from the Medicash Foundation and £1,000 from David Wilson Homes.
The gardens were designed to remember not only those lives which were sadly lost during the pandemic, but also those who have given the precious gift of life, highlighting the importance of organ and tissue donation across the region.
The event, which included colleagues across the Trust alongside key partners in the build, invited those attending to share their stories and showcase what they have helped the Trust and charity achieve.
The garden was utilised for the first time earlier this month, with the first of an annual organ donation memorial and thanksgiving service allowing families who have been impacted by organ donation to spend time in the chapel and the memorial garden as they journeyed through a service of reflection.
The tranquil space will also serve as an extra place on site for quiet contemplation and reflection to be used for the benefit of all staff, patients, and visitors – somewhere to come together to remember, relax and recharge.
Dan Hill, Head of Hospital Charities, said: “We are thrilled to see the finished garden and beautiful memorial tree and want to express a huge thank you to NHS Charities Together and everyone who has contributed to make this project possible. Our main aim was to
create a lasting tribute to honour and remember those we have lost and show our gratitude to those who have given the gift of life to others. Our charity team are confident that this memorial garden will do just that whilst also providing a haven at the heart of the hospital for staff and patients who want a quiet space for peaceful contemplation.”
The following contractors and consultants were also instrumental, and thanks go to: Frank Whittle Partnership (FWP), D&G Builders and Joiners, Blezard, Forjd, USP Creations, Brimet, James Mercer Group, Ameon Building Services, Audit Comms, TRP Consulting and Fayyaz Patel, the Trust’s Senior Project Manager - Capital & Property for Estates & Facilities.
The Charters Restaurant at the Royal Preston Hospital underwent a major makeover earlier this year led by the award-winning design team at FWP Ltd, with the refreshed restaurant space connecting directly to the garden area.
David Simmons, FWP senior associate who led on the project, said: “The memorial garden, with its striking memorial tree, is a very special place for hospital visitors and staff.
“We feel very privileged that we were able to play our part in its creation, honouring both organ donors and those who sadly lost their lives in the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Ray Parker, Director of Forjd, the Lancashire-based creative design company added:” The team at Forjd would like to offer our thanks for the opportunity to work on such a worthy project and it’s been an honour to have designed and built the Tree of life for the memorial garden at Royal Preston Hospital. May it be a special place for all, for years to come.”
In their dedication to creating a special space, Forjd took a unique approach to honour organ donors by crafting individual leaves for the Tree of Life. Each leaf was meticulously designed and personalised with the names of the donors, making it a lasting tribute that will resonate with visitors for years to come.
Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive at NHS Charities Together, said: “In the wake of Covid-19, NHS staff are under more pressure than ever before - and having spaces where they can rest and reflect in between busy shifts can make a huge difference to their overall health and wellbeing. We are so pleased we could help create this memorial garden at Lancashire Teaching Hospital, together with the hospital charity and the generous support of the public. It really will make a big difference not just to staff but to the patients they support - and of course is a beautiful way to honour lives lost during the pandemic.”
