Hospital artwork 'reflects baby's legacy of love'

2 hours ago

News image — Angelo's family, Mackenzie Thorpe and hospital staff unveiled the artwork at North Tees

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust Eight people standing on either side of a piece of artwork, which is placed on an easel. Some of them are wearing blue medical uniform. The pastel artwork is of two figures arm-in-arm at the end of a wooden pier. The sky above the figures is blue, and is dotted with clouds including a heart shaped one. The scene is bordered by tall trees. — Angelo's family, Mackenzie Thorpe and hospital staff unveiled the artwork at North Tees

The legacy of a baby who lived for just 59 minutes is honoured in a piece of hospital artwork, its artist has said.

Alice and Michael Miles, who live in Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, welcomed baby Angelo on 6 July 2025, but complications meant he died a short time later.

The family commissioned artist Mackenzie Thorpe to create the pastel work for the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton.

Thorpe said he wanted to show families going through a similar situation "how our loved ones, no matter how long they are with us, can leave a lasting impression on our lives".

The artist, who is also from Middlesbrough, said: "I'm the oldest of seven siblings and my youngest brother Robin died at just 15 days old.

"Nobody goes away – I remember it to this day and he still has an impact on my artwork.

"Angelo and Robin, they left, but they have left a lasting impression."

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust The pastel artwork is of two figures arm-in-arm at the end of a wooden pier. The sky above the figures is blue, and is dotted with clouds including a heart-shaped one. A rainbow breaks through the cloud and is reflected in the water below. The scene is bordered by tall trees. — The pastel design features two blue hearts

Angelo's family were moved to the Snowdrop Suite, a space for bereaved families at North Tees.

They were also given a memory box donated by baby loss charity 4Louis, which contained two small knitted blue hearts.

Both hearts were kept with Angelo until the day of his funeral.

Afterwards, his parents kept one of the hearts and Angelo kept the other.

A poem called Little Snowdrops is displayed in the suite, and Angelo's grandad Andrew Smith said it, along with the blue hearts, "gave the family comfort and strength during a time of genuine heartbreak and utter sadness".

"I remembered how deeply the work of Mackenzie Thorpe resonated with me, so we reached out in the hope that Mackenzie may consider a commission," he said.

"And thankfully, Mackenzie and his family said yes."

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust Michael and Alice Miles, and two other people, are holding up a large orange cheque for £7,000 for 4Louis. They are smiling at the camera. Michael Miles, on the very left, has cropped dark hair and is wearing a white jacket and white shirt. Alice Miles, on his right, has long blonde hair and is wearing a pink shirt. Words at the top of the cheque read: "In loving memory of Angelo." — The family also raised money for bereavement charity 4Louis

The pastel artwork shows two people standing on a jetty, two blue hearts and rainbows.

The family also raised funds for the 4Louis charity, which is based in Sunderland.

Through donations, general fundraising and a sponsored Middlesbrough 10k run, they raised £7,000 to help other bereaved families receive memory boxes and knitted hearts.