A thought-provoking sculpture depicting a family group created by the Worcestershire artist Antony Poels has been loaned to St Richard's Hospice.

Antony - who has been commissioned to create the towering 'Pear Tree' which will be a Worcestershire Landmark sitting alongside the M5  - was so moved by a visit to the hospice that he has given the sculpture on loan.

The 1.5m high sculpture is made of steel which is zinc nickel plated.

Sarah Popplestone-Helm, Head of Family Support at St Richard's said, "This is a wonderful and evocative sculpture which I'm sure will be a good talking point for our patients and their families as well as staff and volunteers. The family group appears to change depending on where you are standing which makes you pause for thought."

St Richard's helped more than 870 individual family members, including children, last year alone through counselling and group work.

Fundraising Director Tricia Cavell added, "It's a beautiful piece of art which adds another dimension to our hospice garden. We are very grateful to Antony for his generosity."

Antony, who lives in Malvern,  said, "it is a privilege to have the opportunity to give enjoyment, in particular to an organisation that gives so much to so many."

St Richard's Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for patients living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and supports their families. Each year the hospice team supports over 2,200 patients and family members in Worcestershire.

 Patients are cared for in Day Hospice, the 16-bed In-patient Unit or in their own homes by a specialist professional team as well as many trained volunteers.

In the In-patient Unit specialist staff are on hand 24 hours a day to manage patients' symptoms and where, if they so choose, patients may spend the last few days of life in comfort and dignity. St Richard's is grateful for all donations towards the £5.4m they need to raise this year to continue their work.