THE family of a woman who sadly died following a battle with Covid-19 have unveiled a beautiful new sculpture in her memory.

Carolyn Joy Linkens was cared for at Rotherham Hospital before she passed away on 9 May 2020, aged just 53. Carolyn’s dedicated family marked the anniversary of her death earlier this year by tackling the ‘Margot Marches to Millions’ challenge, named after her 14-month old granddaughter.

Carolyn’s daughters Emily Wilkinson and Charlotte Longhorn, their husbands Ben and Chris plus Emily’s toddler Margot, hoped to walk two million steps in 30 days but exceeded expectations by clocking up 2,028,986 and raising £3,127 for the Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity.

Some of the funds have now been invested in a stained glass sculpture, which Carolyn’s family have unveiled at the hospital’s Snowdrop memorial garden.

Emily, 29, of Kingstone, Barnsley, and Head of Lower School at The Willows School, Rotherham, said:

“The staff in Critical Care gave up everything to be like family to my mum before she passed away and when we couldn’t be there ourselves due to the lockdown restrictions. The amazing care she received, the video calls, daily updates and the knitted hearts really meant the world to us.

“We decided that to celebrate her life we’d do a fundraising challenge for our local NHS charity to give something back to those who cared for her. We thought about mum during every step of the challenge so it is wonderful to have raised so much and to see the sculpture finally in place.

“It’s a beautiful way to remember her. We love the coloured glass as it complements the symbolism of the rainbows we saw during the lockdown. The glass hearts also remind us of the knitted hearts the nurses shared between my mum and our family to make us feel more connected.”

The sculpture will be a permanent fixture in the Snowdrop memorial garden, which was completed in November 2020 thanks to funding from the national baby loss charity 4 Louis.

Funds raised for the garden have also recently been spent on bulbs, such as daffodils, tulips and snowdrops, to ensure it looks blooming marvellous in Spring.

Suzanne Rutter, Charity Engagement and Development Manager, added:

“We couldn’t think of a more poignant way for Carolyn’s family to remember her than by fundraising for such a striking sculpture. It captures the light beautifully and is a lovely addition to our Snowdrop memorial garden. Thank you to everyone who supported Emily and her family’s fundraising.”