ARTWORK is proving to be a breath of fresh air for respiratory patients after budding painters turned their talents to ward walls.
A host of sea scenes now brighten Ward 44 at Darlington Memorial Hospital after a project organised by respiratory support group Breathe Easy Darlington for pupils at Gurney Pease Academy.
The school-wide art competition was staged to help brighten ward 44 for patients and staff and to raise awareness among young people. They studied the respiratory system and and lung disease.
Pupils were given the themes under the water and up in the air, which both have links to lungs and breathing. Leon Garner, eight, won the competition with his collage of a seahorse, Marcus Watson, nine, was second and Morgan Taylor, eight, third.
They were joined by head boy Stephen Adenuga, head girl Lucy English, 11, higher level teaching assistant Linda Cernik and Chair of Breathe Easy Darlington Gaynor Williams in presenting the artwork to hospital staff.
Mrs Cernik said: “The children have learned such a lot and it is great to see the artwork in the hospital. They have been shown around the ward and it has heightened their awareness of respiratory conditions. It has been a really great project.”
Sister Kelly Alsop said: “The artwork is brilliant and really brightens up the ward. The children were very interested in what we do here and I think they gained a great deal.”
Breathe Easy Darlington is backed by the British Lung Foundation and is run by people with lung disease for people with lung disease.
Mrs Williams said: “A lot of our members visit Ward 44 for their respiratory treatment. The artwork can’t fail to cheer up patients and staff. The school, staff and students have done an incredible job.”
Breathe Easy Darlington meets on the first Tuesday of every month at The Copper Beech, Darlington, at 1pm. The group is free to join and welcomes carers, friends and relatives as well as those with any lung disease. Contact 03000 030 555.