News / British heart foundation
The story behind Bristol’s new red bench
You wait ages for a story about a bench to appear in the pages of Bristol24/7 and then two appear within a month of each other.
Hot on the heels of a bench facing a wall comes a nearby red bench located the other side of the Floating Harbour from Watershed.
The red bench on the cobbles of Narrow Quay is one of 65 across the UK marking the 65th anniversary of British Heart Foundation.
Behind every bench is a real-life story of someone living with a cardiovascular condition, with the installations “turning the familiar motif of a memorial bench on its head by commemorating those who have survived”.
The red bench is on the cobbles of Narrow Quay – photo: Martin Booth
Bristol’s red bench in front of Broad Quay House is a tribute to Ivy Lloyd, 8, who underwent a life-saving heart procedure when she was only two days old.
The plaque on the bench says: ‘In living memory of Ivy Lloyd, 2017-present. Who’s going to be a palaeontologist, a fashion designer or an author. All thanks to the help of scientific research. But our work is not done. Donate now to keep us beating.’
Bristol’s red bench is in “living memory” of eight-year-old Ivy Lloyd – photo: Martin Booth
British Heart Foundation chief executive, Dr Charmaine Griffiths, said the stories on the benches “send a powerful message that cardiovascular disease can affect anyone, and that it’s okay to talk about your heart health”.
Griffiths added: “Our 65 iconic red BHF benches are creating spaces that celebrate real-life survivors and allow people to talk about their experiences, changing perceptions and inspiring support for research that saves and improves even more lives.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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