Tullamore hospital appeals for crocheters to take part in Purple Hearts project
The Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore is appealing for crocheters to donate their skills for a good cause as they prepare to launch their 'Purple Hearts' initiative.
The 'Purple Hearts' project involves providing two crocheted hearts to families as their loved one goes into end-of-life care.
One of the hearts will remain with their loved one, and the other heart can be taken home by the family.
The initiative, which was inspired by the success of a similar project in Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar earlier this year, aims to bring comfort to families after the loss of a loved one.
Frances Gardiner, Healthcare Assistant at the Oncology/ Haematology Inpatient Unit in Tullamore Hospital, and a skilled crocheter, brought this project proposal to the End of Life Care Committee (EOLCC) in Tullamore Hospital.
She said: “The heart represents a symbol of the continuing bond families will have with their loved ones after they have passed away.
"The families can also swap over the hearts before leaving the hospital as a way to create a connection by leaving the heart they had been holding with their loved one.”
The hospital is looking for volunteers to help make the crochet hearts, with a pattern and instruction for volunteers being made available on the hospital's website.
Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore Director of Nursing, and EOLCC chairperson, Louisea Burke, said: “Losing a loved one is often a difficult time for families and this small but beautiful gesture may help them feel connected to their loved one even after their passing.
"We thank all those who have already given their time to create lovely hearts, and with the help of the public we hope to have enough hearts to begin the roll out of this project in our hospital.”
If you are interested in getting involved, you are asked to post your crocheted hearts to DON office, Scott Building, Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, Arden Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, or drop them off at Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore reception for the attention of DON office, Scott Building.
For further information about the project and how to get involved, follow the link here.