Plans are progressing for a memorial garden at Noble’s Hospital to remember and recognise organ donors from the island.
After almost a year of fundraising the hospital’s organ donation committee is now close to its £12,500 target.
And they are now inviting families who would like to have a loved one who have donated organs remembered in the garden to get in touch.
Committee member Diane Taylor, whose son Daniel’s gift helped to save and improve the lives of four others, said: ‘The garden is to remember donors and give renewed pride to their families.
‘Organ donors rarely save just one life but many lives can either be saved or transformed by a single donor.’
The garden will be made up of various sizes of local stone from Pooil Vaaish quarry. It has an island theme and will feature local landmarks.
Each donor will have a memorial stone inscribed with their name and age.
‘We are now at the stage where we would like to invite families who have loved ones who have donated organs and would like them to be remembered in the garden to contact us,’ Diane said.
‘We understand that for some this may be something they wish to keep private and no donor will be included without written authorisation from their family.
‘There is no time limit and we can go back as far as required even if its up to 20 years or more ago.’
She added: ‘The memorial garden is to be a permanent feature and donor families can contact us at anytime and not just for the opening. In the future, families are welcome to get in touch and request to have a memorial stone made for their loved one should they wish to.’
Fundraisers have included bingo and bowling nights, an 80s disco, walkers in the Parish Walk and a team took part in the Crossroads Charity Shop Challenge
Diane’s employer, Manx Telecom, has held dress down days and cake and bottle stalls.
The Raven Raiders, who won the mixed team event at last year’s Viking Longboat races, donated their winnings.
Barclays Bank has another fundraiser in the pipeline.
Families who would like to have a donor stone should email diane.taylor@isleofman.com or write to her at Glen View, St Jude’s, Andreas, IM7 2EW.