A textured mural which is due to be installed on 19th November at the Hospice, features words that are used to describe LOROS and what the Hospice means to patients and their families. Words such as ‘integrity’, ‘dignity’ and ‘respect’ were produced by the students from local schools and colleges who took part.
The mural, which will be officially unveiled at the Hospice by LOROS President, Jennifer, Lady Gretton at 12pm, was created by artist Tony Metcalfe-Molinari.
Tony’s wife, Linda Davis-Molinari, died at the Hospice aged 60 in 2012, following her diagnosis of thyroid cancer.
“In her last stay in LOROS her nurses called her ‘the sleeping princess’, such had been the beauty and warmth of her smile. Linda died peacefully in her sleep.”
The project which began in 2017 was prompted by Tony, who felt like he wanted to give something back to the charity for taking care of his wife, and their family.
Tony said: “The mural was simply my way of saying thank you to all the staff at LOROS for the way they looked after my wife, Linda, in the weeks and months before she passed away there in September 2012.
“The project was devised to reflect the dedication and commitment of every single member of staff who works at LOROS and each word in the mural was carefully chosen to reflect the atmosphere that they create every single day.
“When anyone looks into the mirror at the centre of the mural I hope they will realise that from the moment he or she steps through the doors at LOROS either as patient or visitor they become the focus of all the descriptors that characterise the work that goes on there. The people of Leicestershire are very lucky indeed to have such a facility on their doorstep.” Students that have taken part in the project are from Brockington College, Ivanhoe College, Leicester College, Leicester High School for Girls, New College Leicester, Wigston Academy and Wreake Valley Academy and will be attending the unveiling.
Youth Engagement Officer Abigail Wattam said: “The project has been an innovative way of engaging young people across Leicestershire with a service in their local community. The staff and students, who have taken part, have expressed their enjoyment of being involved and also developed their skills within the Creative Art, as some have not used this type of technology before.
“The students received a presentation on the background of LOROS Hospice prior to the production of the mural, which has led to a meaningful approach with the stylisation of the piece. A project initiated approximately four years ago and one year in the making has provided us with inspiration to explore further opportunities for young people supporting LOROS in the wider community.”
