The stunning sea of forget-me-nots which created the first St Richard’s Hospice Celebration Garden in Worcester has raised £40,000 for the charity’s care of patients and their loved ones.
All of the 1000 handmade forget-me-nots were secured by supporters through donations, helping to create the garden around the base of St Andrew’s Spire in the city.
The forget-me-not clusters were popular with people as a way to celebrate someone or something special. Many were collected at the end of the display on Bank Holiday Monday, whilst others will be posted or collected from the hospice and taken home as a keepsake or a gift.
St Richard’s Community Fundraiser, Charlie Homer, said, “We’ve been bowled over by the fantastic and generous support of our community who took our Celebration Garden to their hearts. The flowers looked stunning and we’ve had so many people tell us how much they have enjoyed seeing them and creating a wonderful place to stop and reflect, celebrate or remember someone special. “
He added, “We are proud of the Worcester community for respecting and celebrating the flowers during the display and also loved people sharing their photos and comments on what the Garden meant to them.”
“This wonderful sum of money will help change lives. For example it could fund a St Richard’s Nurse Specialist for ten months, four months of day hospice or five days of round-the-clock care for up to 17 patients in our In-patient Unit. On behalf of our patients and families, thank you.”
One of those collecting their flower was Sharon Marsden and her daughter Nadean. Their forget-me-not was in memory of husband, father and step-father Steven. Mr Marsden died in December and this Saturday would have been the couple’s first wedding anniversary.
Dawn Hussey said on Facebook, “My forget-me-not now sits proudly in my garden as a remembrance of my wonderful mum.
Roy Buffery added, “It should be a big ‘Thank You’ to St Richard’s for finding such a magnificent way for us to celebrate the lives and our love for those who have passed away.”
The Celebration Garden was kindly sponsored by Open GI. Mr Homer also thanked Worcester Festival and Worcester City Council for their support.
St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for patients living with life-limiting illnesses and supports their families. Each year the hospice team supports over 2,600 patients and family members in Worcestershire with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
Patients are cared for in Day Hospice, the 17-bed In-patient Unit or in their own homes by a specialist professional team as well as many trained volunteers.
St Richard’s is an independent charity and is grateful for all donations to help it to continue its work.