A NEW mural was unveiled in Reading this morning (May 24) as a thank you to hospice nurses in the region.

Using words of thanks shared by patients, national healthcare charity Sue Ryder has created a colourful mural of gratitude to their nurses in the region, which has been painted onto the side of The Oracle shopping centre.

At the ribbon cutting today, Louise Lucio, service director at Sue Ryder, said "not all heroes wear capes, they wear blue Sue Ryder uniforms".

The mural, which will remain on The Oracle over the summer, was created by Oxfordshire artist, Saroj Patel.

Known for her bright artwork, Saroj’s mural features words such as ‘compassion,’ ‘kindness’, ‘devotion’ and’ selfless’, all words used to describe the nurses by the patients and their relatives who Sue Ryder cared for at the end of their life.

Louise Lucio, said: “Growing up in Reading I have always been aware of Sue Ryder and the incredible support the Sue Ryder Nurses provide. It therefore feels special to unveil a mural which shows the tremendous gratitude of the local community to our wonderful nurses.” 

 

Forming part of the We Are Sue Ryder campaign, which celebrates the lasting impact palliative care nurses can have on patients and families, Sue Ryder is encouraging people to visit the mural to support the charity.

Mark Sturgess, whose brother James was cared for at the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice in Reading says: “The Sue Ryder Nurses really couldn’t do enough for James. All the staff do their jobs to an amazing standard but at the same time they have that extra human touch.

“James actually passed away on my daughter’s birthday and that morning the nurses organised for a cake to be brought in so he could sing happy birthday to her with us. That always sticks in my mind as they went that extra mile and helped him to have that special memory on his final day.”

In 2022, Sue Ryder nurses delivered compassionate care across 4,105 shifts in the Sue Ryder hospice in Reading and 16,410 visits to people’s homes, care homes and hospitals across the region.

Celebrity supporter and Reading resident, Chris Tarrant, said the mural celebrates “the wonderful work of the Sue Ryder nurses and healthcare teams.”

“I couldn’t think of a better tribute to those who are there when we need them most – and which so beautifully represents the lasting impact palliative care nurses have on patients and their loved ones.

Please visit the mural, read the words and support the charity so the care teams can continue to be there when it matters.”

Sue Ryder provides a range of services across Berkshire and South Oxfordshire and hundreds of people are cared for by their nurses both within the community, in hospital, in their own homes and within a hospice setting.

The Sue Ryder nurses working across these services provide palliative care for people with a terminal diagnosis, while supporting their families too.