A unique art installation featuring thousands of tiles supplied by Solus has been unveiled at Stoke Mandeville Hospital to act as a lasting reminder of how community spirit and kindness prevailed despite the challenges presented by COVID-19.

The awe-inspiring structure, a reflection of the NHS rainbow which became a powerful symbol of hope during the pandemic, is composed of brightly coloured mosaics from the Glass Source range, provided on a not-for-profit basis.

The monument now stands in pride of place next to the Accident & Emergency department, serving as a physical tribute to members of the community and healthcare professionals who pulled together in the face of adversity. It will also play a vital part in helping to raise funds for Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust Charitable Fund and Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity.

Each individual tile featured in the five-and-a-half metre high and eight-metre-wide ‘Nightingale’s Rainbow’, designed by Director of Michael Jones Architects Andrew Breathwick, can be purchased for £20 and dedicated to an individual, group or organisation, with messages shared via a ‘virtual rainbow’. For more information click here.

Partnerships Manager at Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity Emma Carroll said: “The rainbow is a bold visual reminder of the kindness that was demonstrated by everyone throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. It will enable people to continue supporting each other as we move forward by purchasing a tile and donating money to these two incredible charities. We are absolutely thrilled with the monument and can’t thank Solus – and all of the other companies who assisted with the creation of ‘Nightingale’s Rainbow’ – enough for their contribution.”

Solus’ Area Sales Manager for North and West London John Rose, who supplied the tiles, added: “It was an honour and a privilege to be asked to provide the stunning array of mosaics that were used to compose the rainbow structure at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. The hard work and dedication demonstrated throughout the pandemic by NHS workers has been an inspiration to us all. I am delighted that their service is being marked in such a prominent way and that Solus has been able to play a small part in helping to raise much needed funds for two worthwhile charities.”