AN artist who works at Ayr Hospital has painted a personal tribute to NHS ‘angels’ who have been on the frontline of coronavirus – which could soon be displayed in an intensive care unit.
Lindsay Howie, 49, created a poignant image which features himself and his wife who works as an auxiliary nurseat Ailsa.
The painting shows doctors, nurses and Lindsay holding up the UK whilst standing on a COVID-19 virus graphic, with each of them wearing ‘angel wings’.
Now bosses are discussing the possibility to have the picture framed in Ayr Hospitals critical care unit.
Lindsay, who stays in Maybole with his wife Donna, 40 and their five-year-old son Harrison told the Advertiser: “I am a domestic cleaner at two hospitals.
“I clean emergency theatres at Ayr and also work at Biggart Hospital in Prestwick. My wife is an auxiliary nurse and she works in Ailsa Hospital.
“I was inspired to do something after the experience of working during the pandemic and seeing what it was like for people.
“All my colleagues are very hard working - they don’t think about what they are doing they just get on with the job and take care of their patients. My wife has been on the frontline too.”
Lindsay, who is a self-taught artist, has painted famous faces, including David Bowie, Fernando Ricksen and characters from the popular show Peaky Blinders.
But he was amazed at the response from colleagues, adding: “My clinical nurse manager it theatre and the full team were blown away by it, they were sending messages, adding me on Facebook. They said, ‘That belongs in the hospital’.
“The idea is we are all keeping the world away from the virus, the globe is just the British Isles alone to signify our amazing health service. I added angels, because that is exactly what they are. They are all angels in my eyes.”
Professor Hazel Borland, Director of Nursing at NHS Ayrshire and Arran told the Advertiser: “Lindsay has a very special talent and his artwork shows and an
enormous sense of pride, being part of a special community.
“We congratulate him and hope that his artwork lifts people’s spirits and also shows a message of how we can achieve things by working together as one.”
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