Social Care News

North Wales hospice dreams up 'flower power appeal' with a difference at Rhuddlan Castle

Care Forum Wales member St Kentigern Hospice in St Asaph is celebrating 21 years of hospice care with a public art project at Rhuddlan Castle in Denbighshire.

The project has seen metal flowers - similar to the metal poppies at the Tower of London in 2014 - being sold in memory of loved ones who have been cared for at the hospice. Funds raised in the 'Flower Power Appeal' are invested back into hospice care.

Red anemones, yellow sunflowers and blue forget-me-nots have been 'planted' in a field directly in front of the castle. The art installation runs until September 1 and will also form part of Rhuddlan’s entry to Wales in Bloom.

Eight-bed in-patient hospice St Kentigern delivers specialist palliative care for those with life-threatening and terminal illness and fundraisers were keen to mark its 21-year milestone in a positive and uplifting way – while also generating funds for future care.

The art project has received sponsorship from local firms to cover the cost of colourful metal flowers and 100% of the funds raised will be invested back into hospice care. 

Flower-decked castle a 'truly wonderful and inspiring sights'

St Kentigern fundraising manager Laura Parry said: "We wanted to mark our 21st anniversary in an inspiring and uplifting way and this project has fitted the bill perfectly. It has also offered many bereaved families a poignant way of remembering their loved ones while also helping to secure the care of future patients.

“It is a truly wonderful sight and everything that we hoped it would be,” she added.

Those who have already sponsored flower will be invited to a VIP viewing of the display on the afternoon of June 30 – and will be able to take their flower home at the end of the exhibition in September. 

Mario Kreft, Care Forum Wales' chair, said: "Over the past two decades, St Kentigern Hospice has worked incredibly hard to provide a comfortable and loving environment for people requiring acute care and I can think of no better or more poignant way to mark that dedication and commitment than a sea of bright flowers at one of Wales’ most historic buildings,” he said.

“I wish the fundraisers every success in this project and would like to offer my personal congratulations for reaching this fantastic milestone. I hope that many visitors will turn out to enjoy this wonderful exhibition throughout the summer and appreciate the important care the hospice provides.”

Do you want to remember a loved one by buying a flower?

Flowers for the display at Rhuddlan Castle are still available for purchase and cost £12 each.

For more information, call St Kentigern’s fundraising office on 01745 536022 or you can buy online: www.stkentigernhospice.org.uk/flower-appeal