Shropshire's ironwork centre working with hospital trust to create Covid memorial

The British Ironwork Centre near Oswestry is working with the trust to create the rainbow, which will be studded with hundreds of hearts bought in memory of loved ones who have lost their lives to Covid or as a thank you to NHS Staff.

The Countess of Chester Hospital has also taken up the idea and Leeds has expressed an interest.

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Clive Knowles, chairman of the British Ironwork Centre, said he hoped other hospital trusts would take up the idea to help raise much needed funds.

"The aim is to help as many hospitals to create their own funds and to remember victims that have been prematurely taken by Covid and to publicly salute all the NHS heroes that have risked their own lives, during this awful pandemic," he said.

Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: “The last year has been a year we’ll never forget.

"As a community, we’ve suffered heart break like never before and had to adapt to a very different way of living.

"Throughout this time, we have depended on our key workers to ensure that our essential services continue to function, and for that we will never be able to put into words the debt of gratitude we owe these individuals.

“As Team Doncaster, we want to pay tribute to these selfless efforts, as well as mark the sad passing of friends, family and loved ones who have been taken before their time.

"With our ‘Hearts for Doncaster’ memorial, we will create a lasting and loving monument to the sacrifices made during the past 12 months, creating a special place where, when it is safe to do so, we can come together to reflect upon our experiences throughout the pandemic, and remember those who we have lost.”

The memorial will have space for 5,000 hearts.

Each heart can be created by a donation of £20, with all proceeds from the project to be directly reinvested in patient care and treatment at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals.