A SUPPORTIVE group have made knitted love hearts to help families say goodbye to loved ones who are receiving end of life care in hospital.

‘Hearts for Crosshouse’ is a Facebook group set up by two members of hospital staff to help families unable to see their loved ones in hospital due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Women from across Ayrshire are now crocheting or knitting hearts – one to give to end of life patients and a duplicate heart sent out to families who can’t be with them in their final days.

The hearts will be delivered to Crosshouse hospital and care homes across Ayrshire.

Irene Fraser Broughton, of Beith, and Karen Elizabeth Davis, from Kilmarnock, both work in the Combined assessment Unit in Crosshouse and are heading up the project.

Irene said: “People are very sadly dying alone because relatives are not allowed to be with them.

“It is a difficult time for everyone, the nurses who are looking after the patients but more so the poor families who cannot get to say goodbye.

“The support has been overwhelming.

“Crafters from all over North and East Ayrshire have donated knitted, crocheted and sewn hearts.

“They are placed in sealed bags and dated as they

need to wait 72 hours before they can be opened to

lessen any possible contamination.

“These are collected by volunteers, left in boxes outside their houses and brought to the hospital by Karen or myself, keeping contact to an absolute minimum and complying with social distancing.

“On a personal note my reason for getting involved is that I lost someone very precious 12 years ago not in these circumstances, but I did not get to say goodbye so this touched my heart.”

Craft groups across Ayrshire have now gotten involved in the project and hope the compassionate gesture is a comfort to families.

Lisa Owen, member of Ayrshire Craft Group, from Kilwinning, said: “I am helping coordinate the distribution of hearts to care homes in the local area.

“I’ve now made about 30 pairs in total.

“ I’ve been given hearts made by people of all ages who live in Kilwinning including Emma, age 10 and donations from a local church.

“People are so kind and thoughtful.”

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