A MOVING photograph of an elderly couple holding hands on a Covid-19 ward has been reimagined by an artistic duo.

Hayley Evans captured the moment her grandparents took each other by the hand after being admitted to Worthing Hospital with coronavirus.

Pat and Ron Wood were married for 71 years and died within just days of one another.

The Argus: Forever Holding Hands by Hayley Evans from WorthingForever Holding Hands by Hayley Evans from Worthing

Hayley's portrait, named Forever Holding Hands, was submitted to the National Portrait Gallery as part of its lockdown exhibition.

It has now been recreated by artists Stella and Gem Stevens, from Worthing, free of charge with all the money raised for the commission going to NHS Charities Together.

Hayley, from Worthing, said that a portion of the funds will go towards the purchase of electronic tablets that will enable vulnerable parents, families and carers to connect with each other during lockdown.

The Argus: The Two Face Twins from Worthing's artist impression of Hayley's original imageThe Two Face Twins from Worthing's artist impression of Hayley's original image

She said: “We were so lucky that we could Facetime my grandparents when they were in hospital and they said how comforting it was to see us.

“However, we know many people are not able to and feel so isolated.

"On the Covid bereaved groups we hear all the time that some people had no visits and no contact at all and it’s so sad.

“My grandparents lit up when the iPad was brought into their room and our chats and seeing us on screen was everything to them.”

The Argus: Hayley with her grandparents, Pat and Ron.Hayley with her grandparents, Pat and Ron.

“I saw my grandparents once in hospital, which is when I took the photograph through a visor. It was the last time I ever saw them”.

Pat, 91 and Ron, 94 were admitted to hospital in May 2020 after testing positive for Covid-19.

They were initially nursed separately but staff soon pushed their beds together before giving them their own room.

Pat died in her sleep, and Ron died five days later.

Stella and Gem, known as the Two Faced Twins, will present Worthing Hospital with the original artwork, which will be displayed in a platinum frame to represent the couple’s platinum wedding anniversary.

Hayley said that while the artwork pays tribute to her grandparents, she also wants it to represent the 100,000 lives that have been lost due to Covid-19.

She said “The photo depicts my grandparents love for each other right up to the end.

“To think it will lead indirectly to bringing comfort and support to others through the fund raising appeal is more than my family and I could ever hope for”.

To donate, visit https://www.collectionpot.com/pot/holding-hands/