Organ donor mural in Manchester a ‘comfort’ say bereaved families

A ceramic mural unveiled at a hospital in memory of those who donated organs to save lives has “helped us heal”, their families have said.

The artwork, which features a poem inspired the experiences of donors, recipients and their loved ones, has gone on display at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

Judy Coutinho whose son Alex Newlove, 27, helped save the lives of six people, said the project had been “very cathartic”.

“It means everything, and it gives us comfort in feeling like there is somewhere I can come to if I want to think about Alex,” she said.

The piece was put together by artists from the trust’s art organisation Lime Arts, who enshrined the poem in ceramic panels.

The piece, entitled The Call was written by poet John McAuliffe, who worked with the families of donors to created the piece.

Groups of families gathered to see the mural officially unveiled on the Patrick Cryne building, where the first kidney transplant took place in 1958.

Ms Coutinho said the project had given her the chance to “truly honour” her son’s legacy as a donor.

She and other families have worked together with Lime Arts to create the piece.

“We’ve laughed together, we’ve cried together, but now we feel very happy with the end result,” she said.