A TEESDALE community hospital charity is calling on local crafters to help make hundreds of hearts to be included in a display next month to celebrate 75 years of the NHS.
Friends of the Richardson Hospital (FORH) launched their blue heart appeal in May calling on knitters, crocheters and sewers to help them decorate the community hospital in time for the anniversary celebrations on July 5.
Elaine Shaw, vice chairwoman of the FORH, said: “Displays are being put together in the larger hospitals but we wanted to do our own at the Richardson, but some of the Friends don’t knit.”
As part of the NHS national birthday celebrations, a number of public buildings and landmarks will be turned blue as part of a light display for the milestone anniversary.
Mrs Shaw added: “We’re looking to make a big waterfall display at the entrance hall so people can pop in to see it.
“But we need lots of help to make lots of blue hearts.
“They can be any colour blue, any size and as many as we can get.”
The hearts can be created in fabric or wool and would need to be dropped off at the hospital’s reception by Wednesday, June 28, to allow volunteers to put the display together.
A knitting pattern for hearts is available on the FORH social media page.
As part of the anniversary celebrations the FORH have organised a special church service on Sunday, July 2, at St Mary’s in Barnard Castle.
A party to celebrate the momentous anniversary will be held at the hospital on July 5, with staff, patients and volunteers and vintage singer Hattie Bee, who entertained guests at the 70th anniversary, is returning to perform.
