Back in December, Sarah Crane, lead chaplain at Milton Keynes University Hospital, decided to celebrate 10 years at MKUH by pushing herself to complete the Milton Keynes Winter Half Marathon, with the aim of raising £1000 to purchase olive wood holding hearts to share with those in the hospital community that needed them.
These hearts are a beautiful and tactile reminder of love and the way it shapes our lives. They fit neatly in a palm or in the pocket and might simply serve as a source of strength for someone having a challenging time, including members of staff. They are often particularly significant for someone whose loved one has died, and a heart can be placed in the hand of their loved one with another taken home as a source of comfort in grief. We also offer them to bereaved parents in this way.
What happened next?
Sarah completed the MK Winter Half and raised £2770 for Milton Keynes Hospital Charity which meant that she was able to purchase lots of other items designed to bring comfort to patients and their families at MKUH. These items included: Single use eye masks, ear defenders to give respite from the noise, paper journals to write any thoughts, feelings or conversations, candles and essential oils which calm and relax.
