A jaw-dropping art installation that marks a milestone in the delivery of vaccinations against the Covid-19 virus has been unveiled at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital.
The interactive artwork, called 'Tunnel of Light', was donated by Hyundai to the NHS after those hospitals marked the delivery of a staggering 100,000 coronavirus vaccine doses to patients.
It was opened as the UK marks the first step in emerging from a months-long lockdown forced by the Covid pandemic on Monday (March 8).
The Tunnel of Light work was created by artists Squidsoup and stands outside Guy's Hospital in Southwark.
It will remain in place through April 4, and NHS staff at Guy's and St Thomas' have already been enjoying its array of light boxes that are designed to mimic the sun's rays.
"It's been a really tough year for the NHS. We want the brightness, we want to come out of the dark," NHS Nurse and Assistant Clinical Lead of Aesthetics Sheree Didham said.
"Our biggest wish is just for all the hospitals to return to normal," she reflected.
One of her NHS colleagues, Francesca Ball, who works on the Guy's and St Thomas' vaccination team, concurred.
"We've gone through some really dark rimes recently.
"And the Tunnel, with patients and staff walking through it at the end of their shift or having just had their vaccine really represents coming out of those dark times," she said.
"It makes you feel bright and optimistic!" Second dose vaccine recipient Margaret Thomas added.
Alastair Gourlay, Director of Estates at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said the hospital were "thrilled" to host the installation as a much-needed boost for their staff.
"We are always looking for ways to improve the wellbeing of our patients and staff so are thrilled to be hosting such an innovative art installation.
"The Hyundai Tunnel of Light will bring a much-needed morale boost to some of those who deserve it most.
"It represents a welcome ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ for Guy’s and St Thomas’ which, like others in the NHS, has been working so incredibly hard to keep patients and staff safe and well during the pandemic," he said.
Hyundai's UK Managing Director Ashley Andrew said the company were "delighted" to gift the installation, which was modelled in part on a car's headlights, to NHS staff in the area.
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