Organ donation sculpture unveiled at Trentham

Families of organ donors gathered at the unveiling of a special sculpture revealed at Trentham Gardens. The bespoke piece ‘Beyond Ithaka’ was created by local artist Robin Wight and provides a reflection point for families who have lost loved ones, as well as raising awareness of the difference organ donation can make.

The unveiling of the sculpture was featured on ‘The One Show’, with more than 200 people attending the event.

National figures demonstrate that there are around 7,000 people on the UK transplant waiting list. Last year more than 470 people died whilst waiting for a transplant. It is hoped the sculpture will draw attention to the importance of organ donation.

Myles Irwin was present with his 12-year-old son Seth. Together, they spoke about his wife and Seth’s mother, Nicki Irwin.

Myles, commented: “Nicki died very quickly, within hours, but there’s people out there waiting that have been on the transplant list for years and are going through so much pain. Please think about it and donate your organs because it means a lot. It gives people hope, a massive amount of hope. It’s never a good time to lose anybody, but Nicki made a massive difference.

“We received a letter about families whose children, brothers and sisters, wives and daughters had benefitted from Nicki’s organs, who can carry on living today from it.”

Seth courageously read out the poem ‘Ithaka’ as part of the ceremony in a very moving tribute to his mum and all the donor families. Speaking with his dad, he said: “Organ donation makes a big difference because it’s helping other people with their lives and giving them the opportunity. It keeps people living.”

Derrick and Rose Burgess travelled from Northamptonshire to celebrate the memory of their son Philip James Long, who was just 36 when he passed away. Rose said: “The sculpture is absolutely beautiful. It’s got so much meaning. It’s the fact that families who have donated organs can come here and reflect and have a little bit of peace.”

Specialist nurses from NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) - based at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) - helped to organise the event and were on hand throughout the day to support families.

Kirsty Lazenby, Specialist Nurse Organ Donation & Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Because of Covid a lot of families have not had the opportunity to be together when loved ones died, so this has really given them their first chance to grieve properly together.

“Every person who became a donor died in sudden and or traumatic events, so it was very difficult for people, but every single one of our donor families is amazing.

“The event was extremely emotional for family members and for us. We think this sculpture will provide a beautiful and dignified place for people to remember loved ones who have donated or received an organ. We also want to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation and we think this will be a great way of getting the conversation started.

“Since April 2021 3,121 people have received a transplant. This really highlights the need for people to sign up.”

In May 2020 the law in England was changed to an ‘opt-out’ system, where a person is required to specifically state if they do not wish to donate their organs.

Kirsty continued: “It’s our job to facilitate organ donation and in order to do that we educate and encourage people to make their wishes known. Before the law changed, lots of families were struggling to make the decision because they didn’t know what their loved ones wanted, but thanks to the ‘opt out’ change, we can now confidently assume that people who have passed away supported the process, unless they informed us otherwise. This has made things much easier and more straightforward for families and for clinicians.” 

“A hospital isn’t always the most appropriate place to have something like this as being there can bring back very painful memories for people, so we were absolutely thrilled when the team at Trentham agreed to work with us.” 

The sculpture will be a permanent fixture at Trentham.

Robin Wight, who is  known for creating the ‘fairy sculptures’ at Trentham, is the artist and designer behind the project. Robin said: “When I was asked if I would consider a sculpture commission for the NHS, I was doubly honoured and delighted. Being asked in the first place is a great compliment, plus we all owe the NHS a debt of gratitude and our full support. I was slightly nervous about the project, but only because I want it to have the desired impact to raise awareness of such a worthy cause.”

Alastair Budd, Director of Trentham, comments: “Trentham holds special memories for many and its beautiful and peaceful grounds make it an ideal place for reflection and to remember loved ones. Robin’s work is truly spectacular and we are so proud to have come together with NHS Royal Stoke Hospital to create a meaningful memorial for the loved ones of organ donors, as well as creating an important talking point for all our visitors.”

To find out more about Trentham, visit: www.trentham.co.uk