A Sea of Orange: Supporting the NHS Autumn Memory Walk
We were incredibly proud to serve as a sponsor for the recent NHS Autumn Memory Walk organised by three local hospital charities: Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity, Barnsley Hospital Charity, and Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospital Charity.
It was a poignant and powerful event that brought the community together for a truly fantastic cause.
The day began as participants gathered at Manvers Lake, signing in to walk and receiving a beautiful, vibrant orange t-shirt. This simple garment quickly became a personal canvas, as people used them to write messages, names, attach a photo or write short tributes to the loved ones they were walking for.
The event featured an energetic blend of music and activity, starting with Live music was provided by Blu Crew as people first arrived and collected their shirts, while Shockwaves Radio kept the energy high for those who stayed by the lake when the walk started.
Sarah from Mission Nutrition delivered a fantastic warm-up session to get everyone warm and ready before the walk. This combination ensured a lively atmosphere with something for everyone of all ages who came to participate.
As the attendees set off on their circuit around the lake, the scene was both lovely and sombre as a visible sea of orange flowed around the water’s edge, creating a moving symbol of collective remembrance and support. It was a powerful demonstration of community spirit and a reminder of the vital work the NHS does every single day.
A lasting tribute from our students
Our commitment went beyond sponsorship. We were thrilled to see the talent and dedication of our own students from Rotherham shine through. As our students designed and crafted a giant wooden sculpture, which served as a focal point for reflection and memory.
The inspiration for the final design
Ben’s inspiration was originally a heart to show the idea of care and love. He included shapes that curved into the middle to show unity and give a series of rows that people could hang their memories from different heights – Ben was aware that the sculpture needed to be accessible to those who couldn’t necessarily reach very high.
The design was selected from around 40 designs due to the sculptures clear message and feel, plus the fact that it could be constructed to be safe and functional, and it can be folded down and re-used.
The design and creation of the sculpture
Ben initially sketched the design onto two large sheets of MDF. The components were then cut by Kev, who also routered the edges to achieve a curved finish. During construction, Kevin realised the initial structure was too top-heavy. This prompted an immediate design adjustment: the height was reduced, and the shape evolved into an abstract form, resembling a blend of a butterfly and a heart.
Once cut, the entire design was spray-painted red to symbolise love and warmth. Finally, hooks were added, a stabilising bar was fixed to the rear to secure the two sides of the sculpture, and a base was attached, allowing it to be either freestanding or secured with ground anchors.
Throughout the day, participants were invited to hang memories or heartfelt messages to their loved ones onto the tree’s branches. This created a beautiful, evolving tribute – a physical representation of the memories held by everyone present. We are so proud of our students for designing and making such a meaningful piece.
A quote from Visual Arts tutor Richard Lyon:
“The NHS memory walk sculpture has been an exciting brief for students to work on. Having a live client-led brief takes learning beyond the classroom and provides students with valuable experience of real-world projects.
Ben’s design brought together some key ideas and functionality really well, and it’s been fantastic to see Ben’s design featured for such a worthwhile cause and be so well received.”
We are truly happy to have been a part of this wonderful day. The NHS Autumn Memory Walk was an overwhelming success for a fantastic cause, and it underscored the importance of coming together to remember, celebrate, and support those who need it most.