An artist hopes she has put a smile on the faces of young patients after donating a mural to brighten up a hospital ward.
Darlington painter Katie Bird donated a huge underwater scene to Darlington Memorial Hospital in an aim to make visits a little less stressful for sick children.
The 6ft picture, which shows Pixar character Nemo the clown fish, has been installed in the playroom of the ward, which sees about 6,000 children going through its doors every year.
Katie said: “I’m so glad that my Nemo painting has gone to such a good and deserving home. I hope that the painting will be enjoyed by the children and will hopefully put a smile on their faces.”
Bill Headley, director of estates and facilities at the hospital, said: “The trust was delighted to accept the mural, which really is stunning to see and because of its size it really does have an impact on the ward.
“It has been very well received by staff, patients and visitors alike. It is important to create a bright, welcoming environment on the children’s ward.
“Coming into hospital can be a scary experience for young patients, so having something like this on the ward really helps to take their mind off things and helps lift their mood.
“We thank Katie for helping us create this environment with her kind donation. We’re now working with Katie to look at some more artwork for different areas of the hospital.”