Five-foot Covid angel sculpture lifts spirits on Hartlepool housing estate

Patricia Leighton worked for 10 hours a day for three weeks to complete the work of art, which would normally have taken her several months, in time for Christmas.

She made it to help people affected by Covid remember loved ones and raise local residents’ spirits.

The ‘Angel of Peace’ stands at more than 5ft-tall and has attracted scores of positive comments since going on display outside Patricia and husband Eric’s home near Hartfields retirement village on the Bishop Cuthbert estate.

Eric’s brother Tom passed away after having Covid and Patricia said the NHS saved Eric's life after respiratory problems.

Patricia and Eric, 75, a well-known local singer, have supported numerous charities over the years, following in Eric’s parents George and Christina’s footsteps.

But that has proved difficult since the pandemic and due to their own health issues.

Patricia, 60, said: “I sat and thought about all those people and families losing a loved one and thought what could I do to represent this?

"So I decided to make a large sculpture made from waste paper and card.”

Related: Hartlepool records 160 new cases of virus in 24 hour period

Word quickly spread amongst the Hartfields community, which Eric has been doing sing-alongs for, with people giving Patricia lots of paper, card and plaster.

She added: “I spent every hour and minute I could when I was well enough making it. I’d never done anything on this scale before.

"I would normally expect it to take about six to eight months but did it in about three weeks.

Eric fixed a light inside and the angel also includes a nativity scene.

Patricia said: "Then outside it went not thinking it would get the attention and comments it did.

"People have been coming round to take photographs and we’ve had a lot of cards and presents from the community saying how lovely it is and has lifted their spirits.”

Next year she and Eric plan to add to the angel’s wings and place feathers on bearing the names of those with Covid who have died.

Eric added: “Our hearts and prayers go out to all those folk that have lost someone dear to Covid."

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