Hearts Statement
Heart to Heart News News and Blog
Tom Abbott, Head of Fundraising at St Catherine’s Hospice said:
“It’s really disappointing to hear that the Together We Are Strong heart by Irma Westerdijk that’s featured on our hospice trail has been damaged. It appears this happened in West Street on Saturday night. We’ve now reported the incident to the Police.
Unfortunately it’s the second heart in Horsham that’s been damaged on our trail. And we’re currently considering further steps to protect all 26 hearts across the entire trail.
We’re grateful to the amazing artists who volunteered their time to create our hearts, and the sponsors who’ve generously funded each one. Thanks to them, our trail has already raised more than £100,000. This will help provide care to more local terminally ill people in the Horsham community and beyond when it’s needed most.
To raise even more money for St Catherine’s each heart will be auctioned following the end of our public trail, so it’s really important that each heart is kept in good condition. All money raised from the auction will also go towards providing local people with expert end of life care and support. And to making sure people in your community don’t have to face death and bereavement alone.
The people of Horsham have always been such wonderful supporters of St Catherine’s, and it’s been lovely to see so many local people enjoying our HeART to Heart trail and engaging positively with the stunning hearts on display. We’ve really enjoyed seeing lots of people’s comments and pictures, and it’s been particularly moving to hear that some of our patients have been visiting the hearts too.
We hope everyone will remember why the hearts are in place and respect the amount of love, care and work that has gone into them.
If you’d like to help people enjoy the HeART to Heart trail we’re still looking for volunteer ambassador. You can find out more about this important role here: www.stch.org.uk/hearts Or to make a donation to support the hospice and in appreciation of the wonderful hearts local artists have created please visit: www.stch.org.uk/hearts”
