GOBOWEN'S Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt (RJAH) Orthopaedic Hospital is set to transform open space in its grounds into a tranquil, wellbeing path in memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore.

The wheelchair-friendly path will provide an area of relaxation and reflection for staff, patients and loved ones, and will be named Captain Sir Tom Moore’s Path of Positivity, in honour of his extraordinary fundraising efforts.

RJAH received a share of the £33 million funding and after asking its staff how it should spend the funds, almost 60 per cent decided that a wellbeing path would be the best option, with work starting to commemorate the 101st anniversary of his birth.

Mark Brandreth, RJAH chief executive, said: “Captain Sir Tom captured all of our hearts last year by doing laps of his garden to raise funds for the NHS.

"He was an absolute inspiration and provided us with a glimmer of hope when the country first went into lockdown.

“This special path will be a calm area, outside the clinical environment, where our staff and patients can take a breather and have some brief respite.

“It also seems truly fitting that we announce Captain Sir Tom Moore’s Path of Positivity on the day he would have celebrated his 101st birthday.

“To honour him and also to celebrate the hospital being on this site for 100 years this year – as well as the 60th birthday of our League of Friends and 40th year of the Orthopaedic Institute, we are pledging to plant 101 trees – the first of which has been planted today.

"It’s one way we can promote sustainability on our hospital site.

“I would also like to thank (physiotherapist) Kate Betts for getting this project off the ground with the fantastic support of our League of Friends, our Estates team and members of the small, staff focus group.

"Thanks must also go to NHS Charities Together.”

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Kate, who first flagged the idea of a wellness path in 2019, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that this idea is becoming a reality. Although our hospital field is stunning to look at, the path will enable our staff and patients to move amongst the trees and nature more easily.

“The path will be fully accessible for patients, who use a wheelchair, crutches or walking frame. My hope is that every department, staff member and patients within the hospital will be able to benefit from the path and use the space in different ways.

“The path will be two metres wide, meaning everyone will be able to use it and chat in a socially distanced manner.”

Victoria Sugden, League of Friends charity director, said: “We know that the path will make a huge difference to the wellbeing of RJAH staff and patients, and we feel proud to have played our part in helping to make this idea a reality.”

The contractors working to create the path are Henry Williams & Son, based in Wrexham.