A stunning flight of dragonflies has created a memorable celebration garden in Worcester.
Worcestershire’s St Richard’s Hospice planted more than a thousand, hand crafted dragonflies on the lawns around the base of St Andrew’s Spire in the city on Saturday, August 10.
The unique dragonfly display follows the success of the charity’s previous Celebration Garden of forget-me-nots and snowdrops.
People are being encouraged to celebrate someone or something special with one of the beautiful dragonflies in the display, which they can later take home as a keepsake or a gift.
The dragonflies are individually made by The British Iron Work Centre in Oswestry, uniquely commissioned for St Richard’s Hospice.
The flowers will be on display until Monday, 26th August.
Contributions to help create this installation will help fund St Richard’s care of patients, their loved ones and the bereaved in Worcestershire.
Event Organiser Jayne Sargeant said: “The dragonflies create a memorable and stunning garden which is an ideal focal point for celebration and reflection.
“The forget-me-nots and snowdrops in our previous two Celebration Gardens were incredibly popular and ended up in homes and gardens in Worcestershire and around the world.
“We hope people will be just as keen to help support this beautiful garden of dragonflies this summer.”
She added: “Dragonflies hold a special place in the hearts of St Richard’s families. In almost every part of the world the dragonfly symbolises change and the understanding of the deeper meaning of life.
“St Richard’s runs a Dragonfly Group to help bereaved children and young people, together with their parent or carer through professional support and offers an opportunity to share their experiences with others in a similar situation.”
Donors will be invited to pick a flower from the garden on Bank Holiday Monday, 26th August, collect from the hospice or via post after the installation is dismantled.
To secure a dragonfly please visit: www.strichards.org.uk/celebration-garden or call the Fundraising Team on 01905 763963.
The Celebration Garden is kindly sponsored by Western Power Distribution and supported by Worcester City Council. The display coincides with the Worcester Festival.
St Richard’s Hospice cares for adults with a serious progressive illness, improving their quality of life from diagnosis, during treatment and to their last days. It also supports their loved ones.
Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,300 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire.
St Richard’s is an independent charity and relies on donations and gifts in Wills for the majority of its income with 22% funded by the NHS.
The hospice is also raising funds for the Build 2020 Appeal and is part way through developing a bigger hospice, enabling more patients and families to be cared for in Worcestershire. The total cost for expanding and redeveloping the existing building in Wildwood Drive, Worcester, is £5.3m.
For more information about St Richard’s Hospice visit: www.strichards.org.uk.
