GOSH dialysis kids create recycled life-size polar bear with help from artist Darcy Turner

Published: 15 October 2010
by MELISSA WRIGHT

A LIFE-SIZE polar bear made entirely of out of waste packaging from medical equipment has been built by children at Great Ormond Street ­Hospital.

The young patients, who are all receiving dialysis treatment, hope to send out the message that the healthcare industry should take seriously the damage caused to the environment by waste packaging from its products.

Youngsters from the hospital’s haemodialysis and renal wards worked alongside artist Darcy Turner to create the animal during an activity day last Thursday. Perry the polar bear – as he has become known – is made up of a wire frame covered and filled with plastic wrappings and bottles.

Nephrology consultant Rukshana Shroff said: “There is a huge quantity of waste every day from the packaging that the medical equipment we use comes in. Our polar bear project is a fun and interactive way for children to learn about environmental issues.”