City Hospice’s popular Forever Flowers campaign is returning to Cardiff Castle for a fifth consecutive year this August.
The charity’s Forever Flower this year is the daffodil, Wales’ national flower, which for many symbolises hope, resilience and new beginnings.
The unique and lasting tributes have been expertly crafted by the British Ironwork Centre and will feature in a striking display within the grounds of Cardiff Castle from Saturday 2 to Sunday 10 August.
Supporters are invited to purchase a limited edition daffodil, which are on sale for £25 from today, to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones including relatives, friends and colleagues.
Those who purchase a flower will also be able to join with others at a special Celebration of Life event on Thursday 7 August, featuring guest speakers and performances from local musicians and ensembles including the Rock Choir.
Karen Timbrell and her family will be among those supporting Forever Flowers this summer. Karen will be dedicating her daffodil to her daughter Holly who sadly passed away shortly after her 21st birthday. Holly was diagnosed with a brain tumour as a teenager and received care from City Hospice towards the end of her life.
Karen said: “City Hospice were great; they made everything as easy as possible for all of us and allowed us to spend meaningful quality time with Holly. They listened to our needs sensitively and provided the right care for Holly and her circumstances. Although our time with City Hospice was brief, the support was immeasurable. After Holly’s death, I was able to access the counselling service provided by the charity. I felt I had a safe space where I could offload my emotions and just let everything out.
“This is the fourth year that I will be supporting Forever Flowers. I love visiting the display and attending the Celebration of Life events with my mum, remembering Holly’s smile, laugh and sense of fun with others. We are looking forward to seeing our daffodil at the display at the castle, before it comes home and is planted with our other Forever Flowers at Holly’s bench.”
During the final weekend of the display and following the event, supporters will be able to collect their daffodils. The charity has once again partnered with Timpson who are offering engraving opportunities at a significantly reduced cost after the display at selected Cardiff stores.
Dr Liz Booyse, Chief Executive of City Hospice, said: “We’re so excited to be returning for our fifth Forever Flowers and to celebrate this milestone with daffodils in the castle, highlighting our proud Welsh heritage in an iconic Cardiff location.
“At City Hospice, we understand how difficult it can be to lose someone dear. That’s why providing a space to remember, reflect and celebrate those we cherish has always been an important part of our work. Forever Flowers has become a truly special opportunity for the community to do just that.”
Forever Flowers supports the work of City Hospice, the only provider of home-based specialist palliative care in Cardiff. The charity provides care and a wide range of services including welfare advice and complementary therapies to patients with terminal or life limiting illnesses, as well as bereavement support and counselling for the families of its patients.
Forever Flowers is sponsored by Rogers Jones Auctioneers and supported by Cardiff Rugby, Eversheds Sutherland, Keen Insurance, McLays, Premier Forest Products and Wales & West Housing.
