Leeds hospital worker creates stunning artwork for children's heart unit

And one of her colleagues was so inspired by her efforts that he put together a poignant video starring staff and former patients, which has now been shared on social media.

Emma Marshall, a play specialist on the congenital heart unit at Leeds General Infirmary, has toiled away in her spare time over the past couple of weeks to create the stunning picture for the unit, which looks after some of the poorliest children in the region.

Made up of tiny butterflies - each printed on coloured paper, laminated and then painstakingly cut out by Emma and some colleagues - the artwork shows a giant heart in rainbow colours.

Emma's colleague, Mike Fresson, children's cardiac nurse specialist at Leeds Children's Hostpial, was so impressed with picture that he encouraged staff and former heart patients to then make the Makaton sign for a butterfly and edited it all together for a video which he shared on the unit's Facebook page.

Emma said: "I'd seen [the idea] online somewhere and just thought it looked amazing and so apt for our ward. The heart, for the ward, the rainbow to give hope that things will get better after the coronavirus 'storm', and the butterflies indicate transformation and how we will change and reflect after this time.

"It took maybe two weeks but that was cutting the butterflies out at small intervals so my hand didn't get too sore from the scissors!

"It's on the ward by the nurses' station so easily seen by all."

Mike said he thought Emma's artwork was "amazing" and said: "The butterfly video was created to bring families together when we are apart. Our families are quite naturally feeling isolated and afraid with what is happening so we, as a unit, have brought in new ways to support our families.

"The video has been so positive - bringing people together."

He said the unit's website and social media have been crucial in continuing to update and support families and patients during these time of lockdown, together with video conferencing capability.

Patients and families also continue to be helped by the Children's Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF), the Leeds-based charity which directly supports the congenital heart unit.

Earlier this year, the Yorkshire Evening Post launched a 'Have a Heart' campaign to try and help the fund reach its fundraising target of £1m for this year.

Since the coronavirus pandemic hit, like many charities, a swathe of its planned funding streams were immediately wiped out and the fund was forced to issue an urgent appeal last month for cash.

Sharon Milner, chief executive of CHSF, said she was predicting a loss of £300,000 over the coming months.

She said: "Our most important job right now is to deliver the medical equipment, ward facilities and family support for our beneficiaries - and we need your help more than ever."

The appeal's target is set at £50,000 and the current total is around £3,900.

To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/CHSF-heart-unit-needs-you

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