A NEW piece of artwork, entitled “Not All Heroes Wear Capes,” has been unveiled in the main entrance of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (R D and E) in recognition of the work by staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was donated to the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust by June Gardener, who made the artwork as a personal thank you after her mother spent time in the hospital last year.

June, who worked for the NHS for 40 years, including at the R D and E, said: “My mum had a 10-week stay on Culm Ward last summer, and the care given to her at that time was exceptional.

“I donated the painting as a way to say thank you to all of the staff working at the Trust during this very difficult time.”

The piece, a diamond painting made up of thousands of tiny resin beads, took June three weeks to complete, and she and her mother were invited to the hospital to unveil it alongside Chief Executive Officer, Suzanne Tracey.

After the unveiling, Suzanne said: “We are incredibly grateful to June, as well as other members of the local public over recent months, for recognising and paying tribute to the amazing commitment and efforts of all our staff during this pandemic and beyond.”