Papworth banner blessed by Pope raises funds

A 'Papworth Banner' emblazoned with colourful fabric hearts which was blessed by the Pope during the Vigil in Hyde Park held on the third day of the Pontiff’s recent visit to the UK, has also raised £350.00 for the Papworth Hospital Charity.

Having been selected to represent Our Lady of Good Counsel and St Peter Catholic Church at the prayer vigil known as “Heart speaks unto heart”, Michelle Deyna-Hayward from Coldham near March, together with her friend Sue Burgess, chose to make and design their own banner rather than order an official one. 

Honoured

Michelle says "As two members of our congregation had recently undergone heart surgery at Papworth Hospital we decided to ask the congregation for donations for placing a heart embroidered with a family name on the banner to raise funds for the Papworth Hospital Charity.

I felt extremely honoured to take the banner onto the stage in front of 60,000 people at the Vigil in Hyde Park where it was blessed by the Bishop of East Anglia and the Pope. It was a day I shall never forget and it was fantastic to take part in such an historic event."

Helen Daniel, Fundraising Manager at Papworth Hospital said "We would like to express our gratitude to the church members and to those involved in producing the ‘Papworth Banner’ for their generosity in raising funds for the Papworth Hospital Charity in such a unique way."