‘They deserve a medal’ – artist hopes to ensure front-line staff are recognised for their brave coronavirus work

The idea of a medal, which has been designed by Harry Gray, 56, was inspired after discussions with his father, Dolly Gray, 92, who has been receiving treatment for terminal cancer.

Harry, who grew up in Hambledon and now lives in Cambridge, said: ‘I saw first-hand the brilliant care my dad got from the NHS. This was at the start of the coronavirus crisis and we have now seen over the last couple of weeks the fantastic work being carried out by NHS staff and other critical workers.

‘We were talking about this last week at his home in Southsea. We said you often I often hear the phrase “they deserve a medal”. We thought let’s go one step beyond the round of applause and give them something to keep forever.’

As Harry set to work on creating a fitting design, Dolly was transferred to The Rowans Hospice in Waterlooville. It was following discussions at the Rowans that Harry decided to broaden his medal design to include care workers and volunteers.

‘The care my dad has received at Rowans has been fantastic. It was while I was talking to one of the care workers at that she mentioned it would be nice if they were also recognised. They’re also facing the daily threat of the virus and it’s important they’re included,’ said Harry.

The inspiration for the design has been drawn from a Florence Nightingale Nurse medal which Harry had originally been given to help design artworks for the Nightingale Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. With the show cancelled due to the threat of Covid-19, Harry decided to put it to a more pertinent use.

While Harry has maintained the original circular design surrounded by a quartet of forked tails he has incorporated the virus itself into the new medal.

‘The central red circle with its broken edge is based on the representations we often see in the media of the shape and outline of the virus. One medal has an NHS design, one has a V for volunteers and one has a C for carers,’ he said.

Harry has retained the crimson blue of the original medal while also incorporating red and white to make up the colours of the Union Jack.

‘We have had offers from around the world to make the medals – even from China – but I thought it was important they are made here in Britain’ he said.

Craft company, Fattorini, based in Birmingham, have agreed to make the prototype medals which Harry hopes will lead to them being officially commissioned and distributed to workers.

Harry said: ‘I designed and carved The Battle of Britain monument on the white cliffs near Dover and beating the Covid-19 virus will be another national battle. The Nightingale medals were first given to the nurses of St Thomas’ Hospital which is currently caring for our prime minister.

‘My dream is that one of the nurses might see it and take it to show Boris Johnson.’

To make the prototypes medals, Harry initially needs to raise £3,500. If you would like to help support this initiative go to the GoFundMe page at http://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/harry-gray-3?utm_id=1&utm_term=VRnAz7r7n

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