University graduates and Wolverhampton Trust unveil memorial in recognition of donors

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust has unveiled a permanent memorial in dedication to organ and tissue donors and their families, as well as paying tribute to healthcare staff who coordinate the services. 

The designers, Matthew Sadler and Neal Welch, recently graduated from the University of Wolverhampton’s School of Art and competed with 14 other University students for the coveted prize to produce the specially commissioned work.

The winning design, named ‘The Gift of Life’ features two hands that poignantly depict the gesture of giving and receiving ‘the gift’, and an infinity loop represents DNA and the continuity of life.

The memorial, which was funded by The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust charity, is situated outside of the new £38million Urgent and Emergency Care Centre at New Cross Hospital, which opened in November 2015.

A plaque which serves as an information point for visitors and staff has also been erected, funded by the University of Wolverhampton’s Faculty of Arts.

The official opening took place recently at New Cross Hospital, with the multi-faith dedication ceremony being led by the Trust’s Senior Chaplain, Father Craig Fullard.

Donor family representatives, Mrs Rosemary Cox and her daughter Christine who campaigned for an NHS Organ Donor Register, were also present.

Dr Wendy Walker, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Wolverhampton and Project Lead said: “To our knowledge, the memorial at New Cross Hospital is the first of its kind to be built on evidence obtained from donor families. This very special tribute is a humbling reminder of people’s generosity and an inspiration for others to donate.”

Matthew Sadler and Neal Welch said: “The ‘gift of life’ is the greatest gift that anyone can give. We feel very proud of the contribution we have made in honour of this.”

A further unique feature of the memorial is a Quick Response (QR) code engraved on the plaque.

This initiative is designed to attract visitors to the NHS Organ Donation website when scanned.

To find out more information, please visit: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-to-donate/

ENDS

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Date Issued: 17.03.2016