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Who and What is My WiSH Charity?
I was warmly welcomed by the team at My WiSH Charity based at West Suffolk Hospital. I was inspired by their passion and dedication to the hospital, patients and staff and the community and was excited to hear about some of their upcoming projects.
Their goal is to make sure that your friends, family and neighbours enjoy the best treatment and the best possible service when they visit the hospital.
West Suffolk is an award-winning Hospital; their patient care standards are second to none. However, their budget is not limitless and occasionally they need your support to help them to go that extra mile for you and your loved ones. They are not here to replace the NHS but to help further enhance the care and support given to patients, their families and also to the wonderful staff who care for you so well.
The unique way My WiSH operate the charitable trust means the community can tell them which area of the hospital they would like their fundraising to go towards and they can guarantee that your donation goes to that individual ward, piece of equipment or in memory of a loved one.
World War 1 Trail Project
The Charity organises lots of different successful events throughout the year but I was particularly interested to find out more about an inspiring new project; the World War 1 trail.
The trail is being supported by Our Bury St Edmunds, the business improvement organisation in the town and also backed by the Royal British Legion. It will feature 18 pieces, commissioned by local artists and sculptors, dotted in prime town centre sites and will be on show from July 23, through to Armistice Day, on November 11.
The trail is to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War 1 and is aimed at creating community involvement
My WiSH fundraising manager Sue Smith said: “It’s going to be very exciting, it’s going to be bringing the community back together again and it’s going to allow our younger generation to become more aware of the First World War and what it means today, which I think is extremely important.”
There are so many fantastic pieces being created by local artists but I will just mention two here as we don’t want to give too much away!
Handkerchiefs for Peace
Scores of handkerchiefs are to be displayed like bunting across Langton Place shopping parade. “The Hanky Line” is being created by Heidi McEvoy-Swift and Jacquie Campbell of Rojo Art and each handkerchief will measure 40cms square.
During the 1914-18 conflict souvenir handkerchiefs were produced as keepsakes or souvenirs all over Europe. There are many examples of hand embroidered handkerchiefs sent as gifts and mementos between soldiers and their loved ones at home.
Peace handkerchiefs were produced for the Peace Day celebrations on July 19, 1919 and were sold by street vendors at the celebrations.
Following workshops hosted by Heidi and Jacquie next month it is hoped that 100 handkerchiefs can be produced and displayed in Langton Place.
There is also the opportunity to participate at home, email Rojoart3@yahoo.co.uk for further details.
Serpentine bench and Poppies
Another fantastic piece has been designed and made by engineering artist Denn Humphrey. He has designed a serpentine bench made of oak. The work is being built by him at his Out of Our Tree workshop in Gosfield, near Halstead, and will be 4ft high and up to 25ft long, and features benches and wooden poppies of between 200mm and 700mm in diameter.
Each poppy can be purchased with a name, tribute or special message of dedication embedded. This poppy will then be returned to the buyer after the trail finishes.
Anyone wanting to purchase a wooden poppy or sponsor a piece of artwork should contact the team on 01284 712952 or fundraising@wsh.nhs.uk
What are WiSH raising money for?
The West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is investing £5.2m in developing a state of the art cardiac suite that will provide quicker access to more treatments, but the £500,000 My WiSH Charity is hoping to raise will lead to the whole unit, which is currently fragmented on different floors, being brought together in one purpose-built centre.
At the culmination of the trail an auction will take place to sell off all of the pieces with all money going towards their £500,000 target.
Dates to remember!
The trail will run from the 23rd July to November 11th 2018 and will be a brilliant event. The wonderful 18 pieces designed and made by local artists will provide a memorable experience. There will also be a prize for those who send off their completed trail form so be sure to pick up your form from participating businesses.
Art in East Anglia loves to see art being showcased in this engaging and inspiring way. We believe for all who participate the pieces will provide an educational and moving connection and I am really looking forward to getting out and about in Bury St Edmunds with my family to explore the trail.
A huge thank you to the lovely team at My WiSH Charity who are doing such fantastic work!
If you want to support the Every Heart Matters appeal go to the website www.mywishcharity.co.uk and if you would like to donate to the appeal you can do so by going to: Justgiving.com/ehma or text EHMA17 £10 to 70070
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