A Birmingham hospice is inviting people to join a citywide tribute to celebrate the lives of loved ones who are no longer with us.
Birmingham St. Mary’s Hospice is encouraging people to secure one of its limited edition, expertly crafted flowers to celebrate the lives of their loved ones. The local Hospice has commissioned 1,500 wrought iron flowers as part of its new Forget Me Not appeal.
The flowers will go on display in Brindleyplace from April 24- 1 May, and by making a donation ahead of that, people can have their own keepsake flower dedicated to their loved one as part of the display.
People who have made a donation will then be able to keep the flower after the event as a permanent tribute to a loved one. The colourful flowers have been designed and crafted by the Midlands based British Ironworks Centre.
For one week, the striking installation will include as many as 1,500 flowers, each one dedicated to the memory of loved ones lost whether they were cared for at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice or not. The floral display will be showcased at Brindleyplace’s central square, and visitors to the display will be able to make a donation to secure one of the flowers.
Prominent local figures are signing up to show their support for the campaign and include Local radio personality Llewela Bailey as well as West Bromwich footballing legend Brendan Batson. Both will be dedicating their flowers to honour the memory of their spouses who were cared for by Hospice staff during their final months.
Former West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal defender Brendon Batson said: “I’m really happy to be a part of the ‘Forget Me Not’ appeal because I know first-hand the great work the Hospice does. When my beloved wife Cecily was diagnosed with a brain tumour back in 2009, I was touched by the care and support from nurses at the Hospice allowing for her to be cared for at home.
“Each ‘Forget Me Not’ symbolises the celebration of a loved one and I’ll be dedicating my flower to Cecily. I hope the people of Birmingham get behind the appeal by donating and dedicating a flower to someone’s life and I look forward to seeing them on display in Brindleyplace.”
Each flower will help fund the valuable work at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, which provides vital care and support to local families living with terminal illness. Flowers will be available for a donation from Monday 13 March by visiting www.birminghamhospice.org.uk/forgetmenot
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