A NEW sculpture dedicated to organ donors and their families has been unveiled at Basingstoke hospital.

On Tuesday last week, family members of those who had donated organs and tissue were welcomed to the unveiling of the sculpture, which was created to recognise, honour and thank their loved ones.

The sculpture, made from stainless steel on a zinc base, was made by Yorkshire artists Karen and Tony van de Bospoort, who have made several other art pieces for hospitals around the country.

The statue, called Hourglass of Butterflies shows an hourglass shape with painted butterflies flying out of the timepiece, as opposed to falling down. This, according to the artists, is to symbolise patients on the organ transplantation waiting list, and as they get the gift of life, they fly away.

One of the people in attendance at the unveiling was 77-year-old Colin Jeffery, whose son Ian provided several organs after he died following an aneurysm 11 years ago, and who has benefitted from a kidney transplant himself.

Colin said: “One day, he came home from work, got indoors, and after sorting out his children, doing the washing up and everything, he sat down in front of the TV when he collapsed.

“Shortly after that, he was on life support at the hospital where he died not long after.”

Many of his organs were donated.

Mr Jeffrey, a butterfly collector of 20 years, added: “We’ve had letters from people who have had their lives saved because of him and are living perfectly.

“I had my operation seven years ago and it’s kept me alive. I don’t know who gave it to me, but I feel good.

“The sculpture is brilliant, these people don’t know how much they have helped others.”

Donna Green, chief nurse at Hampshire Hospitals, said: “This is a great way to remember the kind gift that these people gave. We’re really pleased with the outcome.”