Ashgate Hospice announces return of popular Forget-Me-Not Appeal
People in North Derbyshire will be able to celebrate, mourn and remember their loved ones in a special and unique way when Ashgate Hospice’s Forget-Me-Not Appeal returns this month.
As part of the appeal, which is sponsored by Graysons Solicitors, supporters can make a suggested donation of £25 for a custom made, beautifully crafted forget-me-not flower, to pay a lasting tribute to friends or family.
It’s the second year that the charity has held the fundraiser after last year’s appeal raised £117,300 towards care for patients and families.
This year the striking stainless-steel flowers are pink and each measure 45cm in length, having been made by the British Ironwork Centre.
The limited-edition flowers will form a display between 15th to 19th and 22nd to 26th June, within the picturesque grounds of Renishaw Hall and Gardens, near Eckington in Derbyshire.
Jack Wood, Head of Fundraising at Ashgate Hospice, said: “Our Forget-Me-Not Appeal is a beautiful way for our communities to come together to remember those they love. Anyone can dedicate a flower, whether they have a direct connection to the hospice or not.
“The Forget-Me-Not Appeal is a chance for us all to come together, pause and take time to reflect. Visiting the display of pink flowers and reading the names of all those who have been remembered promises to be very moving.
“The generous donations we receive during an appeal like this one are crucial to the hospice and make such a difference to the families we care for. Every donation helps to ensure we can be there when we are needed most.”
Amanda Griffiths will be dedicating a forget-me-not in memory of her beloved dad, Victor Tye, who experienced ‘exceptional’ care at Ashgate Hospice’s Inpatient Unit after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Before his death on July 28th, 2019, aged 73, the hospice team ensured his final wish of dying at home with his family by his side was granted.
It’s because of this care that Amanda is urging people to support Ashgate’s Forget-Me-Not Appeal.
“My dad was so scared of going into Ashgate and said he felt like it was a one-way ticket,” said Amanda, 46, from Bolsover. “But once he was there and settled in, it was like his second home.
“It ended up being his place of security. He knew whenever he needed someone, whatever time of day or night it was, they were only ever a button press away.
“Dad was most worried about being in uncontrollable pain but felt safe knowing that someone at Ashgate was always there to try to take the pain away whenever he needed it.”
Thousands of forget-me-nots will form a display at Renishaw Hall and Gardens this summer several weeks after the campaign’s launch.
The suggested donation for a forget-me-not is £25 and money raised will be used to fund the hospice’s round-the-clock specialist end of life care.
Jack concludes: “Whether you supported the campaign last year or didn’t, please consider dedicating one of our beautifully crafted pink flowers in memory, or in celebration of that special person. You’ll not only have a lovely flower to add to your garden or to keep in the house, but you’ll be helping us fund vital care for the families who need us most.
“A forget-me-not flower can be dedicated to anyone; they don’t need to have accessed the support and services of Ashgate Hospice.”
To dedicate a flower, visit www.ashgatehospice.org.uk/forget-me-not or call the fundraising team on 01246 567250.
Supporters will be able to collect their flower from Ashgate Hospice from 1st to 3rd July or have them posted to them once the public display is removed.
Ashgate Hospice supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
