26 May NIGHTINGALE ARTWORK UNVEILED AS NHS NAMED LONGEST ARENA RESIDENCY
It’s a record that’s been held by Prince, Michael McIntyre and Take That, but now the title of ‘longest residency at The O2 arena’ has been passed to the NHS after turning the venue into a training facility for 44 days.
To commemorate the milestone now that the facility has been stood down, and to show thanks to the venue, staff from the NHS education team signed a piece of nightingale artwork during their residency. The design, complete with rainbow wings, was created by British artist and illustrator Madeleine Floyd.
The framed piece now takes pride of place in the backstage area alongside signed imagery of the world’s most loved artists, comedians and sport stars who have played the venue.
Danielle Kennedy-Clark, Deputy General Manager, The O2 said: “We’ve hosted some real heroes during these past few weeks and it has been a privilege for AEG, along with our partner O2, to have been able to play our part during these challenging times. This has been our most important residency to date and we’re grateful to the team for this special piece of artwork to remind us of such a poignant time.”
Mark Evans, CEO, O2 said: “We’re proud through our partnership with AEG to have been able to support the fantastic work of NHS with the training facility at The O2 arena. We continue to work hard to keep the nation connected, and remain committed to supporting customers, key workers and the NHS with the network and support they need during these unprecedented times.”
While the venue currently remains closed to the public, plans are underway to start a phased re-opening of parts of it this summer, with ICON Outlet (The O2’s outlet retail destination comprising over 60 brands) and Up at The O2 planned as the initial stages.
All 120 of the NHS education team who ran the training facility are being invited back to The O2 to climb the venue’s attraction, Up at The O2, on the famous tented roof top, when it reopens in July.
The O2 staff have recently taken part in a staircase challenge in memory of Up at The O2 climb guide, Mark Griffiths, who passed away due to Coronavirus and raised over £8,000. All funds from the challenge will be donated to the NHS.
