An Hourglass of Butterflies
Organ donation sculptures for Basingstoke and Winchester NHS hospitals
Two identical sculptures have been installed in the grounds of the Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's Basingstoke and Winchester hospitals. The sculptures, standing at over 2 metres tall, are memorials to all local donors and their families.
Patients waiting to receive the 'gift of life' from an organ donor often fear that time is running out. For this sculpture we have replaced the grains of sand with a positive image of butterflies flying free from the top of an hourglass, a message of freedom and a celebration of life. Butterflies are a powerful symbol of metamorphosis and evoke a positive metaphor for the transformation donor recipients experience.
Jane Austen, one of England's greatest novelists, lived in Hampshire, the locality being an inspiration to many of her novels. We have taken a quote from her novel 'Sense and Sensibility' that stirs the heart to encourage more people to join the organ donor register.
"It isn't what we say or think that defines us, but what we do."
The 'Hourglass of Butterflies' sculptures were officially unveiled at two separate ceremonies - Tuesday 28 August 2018 at the North Hampshire Hospital in Basingstoke and Wednesday 29 August 2018 at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.
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"The decision to donate is life changing for so many people who are awaiting transplants. It's a privilege to work with courageous families who are making this decision at an incredibly difficult time. On one of their darkest days they think of others and support organ donation and this bravery must never be underestimated. Families can often feel comforted by this and are proud of the gift of life that their loved one is giving – the opportunity for another person, even a complete stranger, to have a second chance at life. It is very humbling work and I hope families find some comfort when they look at the sculpture."
Laura English, Specialist Nurse for Organ Donation
Clinical Leads for Organ Donation, Dr Patrick Creagh-Barry, left and Dr John Criswell, right with Chief Nurse Donna Green, who officially opened the sculptures, Karen van de Bospoort and Specialist Nurse for Organ Donation Laura English.