Sculpture symbolises Hospice’s mission

A bespoke sculpture has been created as part of the celebrations to mark 40 years since the founding of St Nicholas Hospice Care.

For the past four decades St Nic’s has supported those across West Suffolk and Thetford facing dying, death and grief, and as part of the events and activities to mark this milestone year, the Hospice has been gifted a sculpture entitled “Because You Matter” by Lavenham-based sculptor Kate Denton.

Kate is a well-known sculptor who has opened her gallery and sculpture garden at Lavenham Hall for many years. Her works are held in many private collections in the UK and internationally. She has a number of public sculptures in the UK and the Channel Islands.

Kate explains: “I wanted to contribute to the anniversary events for St Nic’s as I have great reason to be very thankful to them. In 2011 I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and on Christmas Eve of that year was told I only had 12 weeks to live.

“The fact that I am still here, still working and still living a full life is in part due to some extraordinary surgeons at Addenbrookes Hospital. However, it is also due to the physical and pastoral care I received from St Nic’s at an extraordinarily difficult time both for me and my family when I was facing my expected rapidly approaching death.

“As well as managing my pain relief, they helped me face the practicalities of the situation I was in. They kept me lucid enough that I could manage my children and their emotions, sourced equipment that would make me more comfortable, and reassured my husband as to how he was coping with a situation that was way removed from anything he had experienced before.

“I have so much to be grateful to them for.”

The sculpture, which will be displayed at St Edmundsbury Cathedral from April 30, will be at the heart of the Hospice’s Thankful service in the cathedral on May 12.

The sculpture’s title, “Because You Matter” is also the Hospice’s motto and reflects its mission to help all those that are facing the end of life, together with their families, to continue to live a full life until the end.

Made of fiberglass, which has iron filings added to give it a rusty colour, the sculpture depicts two figures. A male at the lower level who is sitting, as he is no longer able to stand, but being helped up to a higher level by a caring female who is holding his outstretched hand in both of hers.

The sculpture will be auctioned to raise funds for St Nic’s at a gala dinner to mark the end of the anniversary celebrations on October 25.

If you’d like to read more about Kate and Anthony’s connection to the Hospice, they have been featured in our 40 Face of St Nic’s. You can read their story here.