PEOPLE who donated their organs after their death have been commemorated in a new art installation at Southmead Hospital.

The three-dimensional embroidery recognises the life-changing impact of having an organ transplant as well as the loss experienced by the families of organ donors.

The artwork features a cherry tree made up from quotes from the families of patients who have become organ donors as well as the recipients of organ donations.

The work, entitled ‘A few words’, has been funded by Southmead Hospital Charity and managed by North Bristol NHS Trust’s Fresh Arts Programme.

Ian Thomas, consultant in intensive care medicine and clinical lead for organ donation at Southmead Hospital, said: “Organ transplantation represents one of the great advances of modern medicine and is a truly life changing event for transplant recipients. Yet without the altruistic act of organ donation, organ transplantation could not happen.

“This beautiful artwork perfectly captures the emotion associated with the organ donation and transplantation programmes here at Southmead Hospital and provides fitting recognition to patients who became organ donors whilst also acknowledging the impact it has on their families.”

The £5,000 project was funded through Southmead Hospital Charity’s Intensive Care Unit fund, Renal fund, Guy Jordan Memorial Fund and the NBT Organ Donation Committee.

Ken Pattison’s wife Jo died in October 2013 aged 65 following a brain haemorrhage. Her organs went on to help five people.

Mr Pattinson, who lives in Bristol and took part in the A Few Words project, said: “We were both signed up to the organ donation register after seeing a previous appeal.

“Jo is very much still alive for us as a family, we talk and laugh about her every day, but through donating her organs she is still alive in a more tangible way too.

“I think that Jo would be very proud, it is wonderful that five people have benefited from this dreadful situation and it has helped us as a family to know that.”

A Few Words is by local textile artist Penny Leaver Green who met with families of organ donors and the recipients of organs to gather the quotes for the piece, using layers of delicate silk to construct the embroidery.