Deputy Mayor, Councillor Sue Burke and High Constable Jo Rimmer joined St Barnabas CEO Chris Wheway, dignitaries and special guests to the Forget Me Not installation official launch on Saturday 6th April at 11am. 1008 iron, handmade Forget Me Not flowers are displayed in the grounds of Lincoln Castle. The appeal has already raised in excess of £50,000 for the Hospice.
Chris Wheway, St Barnabas CEO began his speech;
“I would like to say thank you to Lincoln Castle for donating the space in the grounds for our display. I could not think of a better venue for this appeal and I think you will all agree it looks stunning.
We have been overwhelmed with over 1000 donations for the iron flowers raising £50,000 for the Hospice to date. This is a very special fundraising appeal, as it marks the first of its kind for us here at St Barnabas. The success has surpassed our expectations and we hope it continues to flourish in the next three weeks.”
Local blacksmith Stefanos cut the ribbon with Councillor Burke to mark the display officially open to the public. Stefanos, based in Lincolnshire at The Old Smithy designed and created each flower by hand. Appeal sponsors Tanglewood Care Homes and Waterside Shopping Centre also attended to meet the creatives behind the appeal.
Local poet, John Welsh concluded the launch with a piece of poetry titled ‘Remember Me Always’.
Sam Waterer, Individual Giving Fundraiser and Forget Me Not appeal event lead added;
“We are overwhelmed by the success of the appeal, but we knew the beautiful design and stunning setting would be popular. Remembering a loved one is very personal and the Forget Me Not appeal is a special way to celebrate the life of someone important. We have extended the display for a further week until Sunday 28th April to give more people an opportunity to see the flowers. Anyone can claim a flower with a donation on the St Barnabas Hospice website, but as they are made by hand the expected delivery date is 6 to 8 weeks.That said, want to say thank you to Stefanos, who has tirelessly created each flower by hand and to Nicky Walker, the landscape gardener who thought up the aerial forget me not installation design.”
St Barnabas Hospice offers free compassionate, palliative end of life care to 10,500 patients and their families each year. The Hospice needs to fundraise £5.5 million annually with appeals, fundraising events, corporate sponsorship, the St Barnabas Lottery, the St Barnabas Hospice shops and legacy donations.
To dedicate your own flower and find out more about St Barnabas Hospice visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk
The Forget Me Not display is open until Sunday 28th April at Lincoln Castle.