AS THE first year anniversary of the start of the Covid-19 pandemic locally approaches, the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) has expressed its delight at aligning with a Fermanagh school to help celebrate the contribution of the many Western Trust Heroes during this highly-challenging period.

Throughout the pandemic, local 'Western Trust Heroes' have worked tirelessly and selflessly in the battle against this disease, and the children and staff of Holy Trinity Primary and Nursery School in Enniskillen decided to thank them in a very special way, through creativity and art.

The collaboration – which was the idea of the Assistant Medical Director for South West Acute and Omagh Hospitals, Professor Ronan O’Hare, and Holy Trinity School Principal, Brian Treacy – has seen each class at the school 'adopt' a specific Department of the South West Acute Hospital.

This has included sending staff at the Departments letters, songs, stories, poems and video messages.

The partnership has allowed the local children to transform their art into messages of support and appreciation for local staff across the Trust, all of which have been captured in a series of videos which will be made available for Trust staff to view across social media channels.

Speaking about the partnership, Prof. O’Hare said: “The past 12 months have seen unprecedented pressure come to bear on our health system and on our staff.

“They have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, and I don’t think the positive effects on staff morale of such recognition from our school children and, indeed, the wider community can be overstated.

"The value of the joyful messaging portrayed through the children’s art by focusing on the important themes of thankfulness, community spirit and hope for the future is a timely one that staff at the Western Trust will keep close to their hearts.”

Principal Brian Treacy added: “It is a fantastic opportunity for the children not only to learn about the specific work of each Department in the hospital, but it also affords us the opportunity to say 'Thank you and keep up the good work' to the magnificent staff there.

“The children have been working hard, sending in pictures, stories, letters and video messages from home, and the school staff have put them together before sending them on to the hospital staff.”

He continued: “Our local community has benefitted so much from the efforts of staff in our hospital, especially in the past year, and we try to instil in the children a sense of gratitude for the help that others give us, especially those in our local community.

“This project has been a great opportunity for the children to express that gratitude, and they have put together some lovely video messages.”