A GREAT Western Hospital nurse is asking knitters and crocheters to send pairs of handcrafted hearts to help comfort families of people who die from Covid-19.

Laura Kirby-Deacon, a sister on the intensive care unit, set up the initiative as families are often unable to visit coronavirus patients at the end of their lives.

She said: “The idea is that one heart would go to patients and then the other one would be sent to their loved ones.

“We always send a bereavement card, so we would put the heart inside the card in the hope, that it would offer a small piece of comfort to that family, to know that people have put their time and love in creating something so their loved ones can be remembered.”

Laura added: “Now we are in a this situation, patients who come to us and who die, can’t have any family contact. People are going to be dying alone, which is really sad.”

As of March 7, 19 patients have died at the hospital since the pandemic started.

“It’s sad for the patients, knowing that they can potentially die alone but also for their family,” said Laura.

“It's difficult for us as nursing staff because we can’t support the family as much as we would like to.

"We would do our utmost and we would be there for the patients so they don’t die alone but it’s not like having your own family there.”

Laura posted her request on Facebook last Friday and hundreds of hearts have already been sent in.

The 43-year-old said: “It was massive and by Saturday it went viral. I'm overwhelmed and amazed. I was anticipating to get about 50, and now I think we are going to have thousands.

“People are stuck indoors, and they want to help. They are taking time to create these things. It just shows that we all got a caring side to us and people do want to help.

“This is their way of showing that they can help.”

She added: “I work full-time and I’m working extra hours, so I can’t manage this. Brighter Futures has come on board.”

Due to the current situation, Laura asked people to put their creations in a freezer for up to 72 hours before sending in to protect the staff and patients.

Laura, who has worked at GWH for 12 years, added: "We have enough for patients at the hospital, so we are probably going to look at supplying other hospitals,”she added.

Anyone interested to take part in this initiative should send them to Brighter Futures at GWH.