The Gift of Life butterfly sculpture and new memorial garden at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital was unveiled at an informal opening on Thursday 25 January, having been created by the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity to honour organ and tissue donors.
The memorial garden was commissioned and paid for by the Trust’s Organ Donation Committee, funded by a grant from NHS Charities Together - who helped fund the gardens at both Chorley and Royal Preston Hospital at a total cost of £100,000 - while the Harold and Alice Bridges Charity donated £2,000 and the Warburtons Foundation £400 towards the project.
The gardens at Chorley and Preston were designed to ensure a defined area to remember all lives which have sadly been lost, as well as those who have given the precious gift of life, highlighting the importance of organ and tissue donation across the region.
Cath Roberts, Critical Care Consultant, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in creating the memorial gardens in both Preston and Chorley. It was our aim to create lasting memorials to our organ and tissue donors, and their families, and it is incredible to see this come to fruition."
The opening was attended by colleagues from the Trust alongside key partners in the project, as they shared their stories and showcased what they have helped the Trust and charity achieve.
What is a peaceful, tranquil space, will serve as an extra area at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital for staff, patients, and visitors to spend a moment of quiet contemplation and reflection – somewhere to come together to remember, relax and recharge.
Dan Hill, Head of Hospital Charities, said: “The finished garden and sculpture looks absolutely amazing. This wouldn’t have been possible without the input, support and generosity of all involved. Thank you so much!”
The following contractors and consultants were instrumental, and thanks go to: Forjd, contractor John Charnley from Barton Grange Landscapes, designer Chris Forshaw of Milieu Landscapes, sales director Anthony Collins of Hardscape, whose company donated the stone obelisk, as well as Fayyaz Patel, the Trust’s Senior Project Manager – Capital & Property for Estates & Facilities, Catherine Roberts, Critical Care Consultant, and Lisa Barker, IT Technical Project Manager.
A spokesperson from 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. It's been an honour to have been involved with the Gift of Life sculpture and memorial garden at Chorley, having designed and built the Tree of life for the garden at Royal Preston Hospital. May they both be special places for all, for years to come."
Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive at NHS Charities Together, said: “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 together with the hospital charity and the generous support of the public, for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital, after completing one at Royal Preston Hospital. Both areas really will make a big difference, not just to staff, but to the patients and families they support.”
