Donate shoes for pancreatic cancer awareness art installation

Residents are being asked to donate used adult shoes or trainers for an art installation at Frome Medical Practice to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer and the need for earlier diagnosis.

Local artist Caroline Rudge is leading the installation, titled ‘800 missed steps each month’, which will feature 800 shoes representing the number of people who die from pancreatic cancer each month.

The installation will be finished in time for World Pancreatic Cancer Day in November, however, the community is being encouraged to donate ‘worn out’ adult shoes or trainers by 31st July.

Managing partner at the practice, Karen Creffield, said, “If you have shoes and trainers you can donate, please drop them at the practice. We have a box in our main reception area where you can leave them.”

The art installation follows funding awarded to Frome Medical Practice by the Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire Cancer Alliance. The funding is to enable the practice to campaign to make local people more aware of the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer.

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include persistent upper abdominal or back pain, unexplained weight loss, changes to your poo, persistent indigestion or loss of appetite, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

A ‘lace up’ morning will be held on Saturday 1st August from 9am to midday, where the donated shoes will be threaded with purple ribbon.

Karen said, “Come along, have a chat and a cuppa and help us bring this project to life.”

If you would like to come to all or part of the lace up morning, let the practice know by registering via the event page on their website or this link: https://shorturl.at/fXJ8f

Pictured: Artist Caroline Rudge