Basingstoke ObserverAS part of their 30th Anniversary celebrations, St. Michael’s Hospice has commissioned hand-crafted metal sunflowers from local Hampshire based company, Hurstbourne Forge.
Sunflowers are regarded as symbols of hospice care as they draw strength from focusing on the light and not the darkness. The seed represents the patient, and the surrounding petals represent love, care, and compassion.
People from across North Hampshire are being given the opportunity to own one of these limited-edition flowers– some in memory of a loved one, others to mark an occasion or simply support the hospice.
Lorraine Pink, Director of Income Generation at St Michael’s Hospice said: “The amazing thing is that by donating £30 for a sunflower, people not only have the chance to dedicate it to their loved one, but also can hopefully take comfort in knowing that the money raised from their sale is helping us to continue providing care to local people too.”
The flowers are forming part of St. Michael’s Sunflower Celebration which is taking place in the hospice grounds on Sunday 12 June at 2pm. All the sunflowers will be on display during the event and people will be able to take them home afterwards or collect from the hospice at a later date.
The hospice has also been brightened up by a donation of home furnishings and tableware from David Wilson Homes Southern.
The hospice, which is the homebuilder’s Charity of the Year, collected a range of items worth £2,000 from the developer for the benefit of its patients and visiting family members.
Fiona Smith and Oliver Parmenter from David Wilson Homes visited the hospice to make the donation and items included cushions, blankets and a range of kitchen products. Also donated were a dishwasher and radio for the inpatient unit staff room.
Sarah Shearman, Head of Fundraising at St Michael’s Hospice, said: “We were absolutely delighted to receive this gift from David Wilson Homes. The items donated have helped us to create a really warm and inviting family room, and enabled us to create a relaxing atmosphere in the staff room. They really have made a difference to the look and feel of both rooms. Thank you to everyone who has made this donation possible.”
Campbell Gregg, Managing Director at David Wilson Homes Southern, said: “We were delighted to be able to donate the items to St Michael’s Hospice. We can’t praise its employees highly enough for the work that they do, and it was a pleasure to be a part of their efforts in continuing to provide quality care to patients and their families.”
The hospice has a limited number of the sunflowers available. Visit the website https://www.stmichaelshospice.org.uk/event/sunflower-celebration or call 01256 848848.
