The first personalised hearts bought in a Hospice Hearts project have been planted in the garden of Beaumond House Hospice.
The aim is to plant 1,000 handmade hearts featuring the first name of a loved one. The project was launched last month and so far 275 blue-glazed hearts have been bought.
They are being made by potter Karen Chesney of Norwell who will place them to create a spectacular display. She put the first 150 hearts in the garden this week.
The hearts include one bought by day therapy patient Joan Denny of Balderton. Her heart says Absent Friends in memory of five day therapy friends – Irene, Brenda, Valerie, Jean and Pauline.
There is also a heart bearing the name Chantelle – in memory of Chantelle Swindlehurst , a much-loved healthcare assistant at Beaumond House who died suddenly aged 35.
The heart has been paid for with a donation from a hospice supporter. She asked that a heart should be made bearing the name of a person chosen by Beaumond House.
Individual giving manager Kat Wright, who is managing the project, said they had thought of Chantelle immediately.
“The sentiment behind the donation was wonderful,” said Kat.
“Everybody here felt it was so fitting that the heart should bear Chantelle’s name.”
Kat said she was delighted that so many hearts have been bought already but is urging people to continue to buy them.
“It is such a lovely way to remember a loved one, whether they have died recently or some time ago,” she said.
“Some of the people remembered will have been cared for by Beaumond House but we would love everybody to buy a heart in memory of a loved one even if there is no connection with the hospice.”
The hearts will remain in place until the autumn when they can be collected to keep.
More details about how to reserve a heart can be found here