Christmas came early for the patients, visitors, staff and the chapel at Basingstoke and North Hampshire hospital thanks to a generous donation from a local primary school.
Staff and pupils, aged from four to 11 years old, from St Bede’s Catholic Primary School worked together to create 14 hand-painted canvas pictures that tell the story of the nativity to be displayed around the chapel at Basingstoke hospital.
The chaplaincy team invited three of the young artists, Rosie Woodquffe, Vince Vanni and Beatrice Caluo, along with St Bede’s Catholic Primary School headteacher, Jamie Carroll, and religious education lead, Yvonne Ridguard-Thomas, along to the hospital to see their artwork on display for patients, visitors and staff to view.
Debbie Howard, one of the chaplains at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Basingstoke hospital, as well as hospitals in Andover and Winchester, said: “We are very grateful to St Bede’s Catholic Primary School for their kind donation and all their hard work.
“The paintings have transformed the chapel during this special time of year. Many of our staff have children that go to St Bede’s Catholic Primary School, so this was a great opportunity to bring both of our communities together.”
Jamie added : “It has been wonderful working with the chaplaincy team at Basingstoke hospital, and we are very proud to see the artwork on display. We hope the paintings bring joy to patients, visitors and staff.”
