Metal forget-me-nots display remembers hospice patients

Nine hundred handcrafted forget-me-nots have been planted in Worcestershire to remember hospice patients and raise essential funds.

The display, planted by St Richard's Hospice in the gardens of St Andrew's Spire, Worcester, was created by artist Ed Alvis, from Metal Art UK, whose father was cared for by the charity at home.

Sue Fletcher, from Droitwich, had dedicated one of the Celebration Garden flowers to her son Paul, who spent his last weeks in the hospice before he died, aged 34.

She said: "Paul was as loved on that last day as he was when we brought him into the world. For that reason St Richard's will always be part of our family."

The metal blooms can be purchased by supporters to be brought home at the end of the installation on 31 August.

Fletcher said the campaign helped her "cherish memories of a wonderful son" as well as showing appreciation for the compassion of staff.

"The night he died, the 'angels' on duty made us up a bed and encouraged us to stay close," she said.

"In the early hours Paul turned to my husband and then myself and peacefully took his last breath.

"In that moment the nurse said something so thoughtful it will stay with me always: 'who he saw first in life, he also saw last.'"

Alvis has previously crafted bees, butterflies, sunflowers, snowdrops and tulips at his workshop, near Evesham, to raise money for the hospice, providing his sculptures at cost price.

St Richard's campaigns fundraiser, Laura Clarke, said his display made for a "memorable focal point for celebration and reflection".

"Associated with enduring love, forget-me-nots reflect how many of those touched by our care feel about their loved ones; they're gone but never forgotten," she said.

The hospice, an independent charity, supports more than 3,000 patients and family members each year.

It costs about £12m annually to run it, the charity said, and relies on voluntary support, including donations, for the majority of its income.

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.