Bloomin' marvellous flowers at Ipswich Hospital
They've taken the form of a bra for good reason
Last updated 14th Oct 2021
1,000 metal flowers have been planted at Ipswich Hospital this week.
The installation is for Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity’s ‘Blooms for Blossom’ Appeal.
They've taken the shape of the appeal's logo - a bra.
The shape echoes the cause of the appeal – to fund a new Breast Care Centre at Ipswich Hospital. The Blossom Appeal has been raising funds for the last four years towards the new centre.
Currently patients must visit several locations across the hospital for breast appointments, creating issues with dressing – often having to get dressed and undressed several times – as well lacking one main area for clinics or treatment. The new £5.3m Breast Care Centre will provide a one-stop facility for patients, have separate areas for young people and men, plus designated areas for diagnosis and an outside garden area too.
Kim Collingridge, lead breast cancer clinical nurse specialist at ESNEFT, said:
“We want to make sure everyone receives the best possible care when they need it.
“A new breast care centre would make a big difference because we would have dedicated clinics for specific types of work. It we could work with more focus – we wouldn’t be thinking we’re seeing a new patient and then a follow up appointment. It would enable us to be more organised and make better and more effective use of our time.”
To fund the new centre the charity still needs £850,000, so all donations from the Blooms for Blossom will go towards the appeal.
Anyone can donate and have their own limited-edition flower, which has been handcrafted by Suffolk Ironworks, with no two blooms the same. They each come stamped with their own number and a certificate explaining their special meaning.