ARTY: Fundraising volunteers for Bradford Children’s Hospital, Naz Rafiq, and Hayley Collis, show off some of the artwork created by local primary school pupils
ARTY: Fundraising volunteers for Bradford Children’s Hospital, Naz Rafiq, and Hayley Collis, show off some of the artwork created by local primary school pupils

Artwork brings colour to hospital’s newest wing

Primary schools across Bradford showcased their artistic flair throughout September as they help brighten up the lives of patients at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Students from five schools in the city all took part in the project whereby 100 pictures were created to be framed and placed on the walls of a new viewing gallery overlooking the hospital’s newest wing.

The initiative was led by Hayley Collis, fundraiser for Bradford Hospitals Charity and the artwork aims to capture the pupils’ hopes and dreams for the new children’s wards, elderly care wards and 16-bed critical care unit.

Construction of the new £28million wing began in May earlier this year and is due to be completed by autumn 2016.

Hayley says the response to the project has already been very positive, bringing a previously ‘drab’ corridor to life.

“This new art gallery not only provides a welcome distraction for our patients but floods the corridor with bright colours and gives visitors something to talk about when they come up to take a look at how our new hospital wing is developing,” she said.

“Many people who have come up to have a look have told me that they think the pictures are a great idea and I couldn’t agree more.

“What was once a drab hospital corridor has now been brought to life with colourful art by the children of Bradford.”

Later this week, it’s anticipated that some of the artwork will be placed on the giant hoardings which have been erected recently around the perimeter of the new hospital wing’s construction site.

The schools taking part in the art project are Margaret McMillan Primary, Iqra Academy Primary, Clayton Church of England Primary, St. William’s Catholic Primary and Farnham Primary, whilst more are still joining the scheme on a weekly basis to provide even more designs to illuminate the building site.

If your school is interested in participating in this art scheme, please contact Hayley on Hayley.collis@bthft.nhs.uk or call 01274 274 809.