A NEW artwork – the Celebration Tree – has been unveiled in the reception area at St Margaret’s Hospice in Taunton by Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Annie Maw.
People can make donations to the hospice and have a leaf or sunflower named in memory of loved ones at times of celebration.
Making each day count remains St Margaret’s priority when caring for patients and their families facing a life-limiting illness, as it has been for the last 38 years.
Chief executive Ann Lee said: “St Margaret’s will care for one in three people in Somerset during their lifetime. Our care is free, this does mean however we have to rely heavily on fundraising to ensure everyone who needs our care receives it.
“Our Celebration Tree is a way to celebrate life, love and friendship within our community while also raising vital funds. We welcome people to either visit our Celebration Tree or make a dedication and donation.
“A leaf or sunflower could be engraved with the name of a loved one, in celebration of a recent wedding or birth of a child, or as a birthday gift to someone special.”
A similar Celebration Tree at the charity’s Yeovil hospice in October has so far raised £8,000 from 20 donors.
Artist Claudia Ashley-Brown, who designed the perspex trees, said: “It was a pleasure working with the team at St Margaret’s Hospice to create a wall-mounted Celebration Tree sculpture.
“The hospice reception is a great space with light, height and airiness which enhanced the reflectiveness of the metallic leaves.
“Being able to help people remember and celebrate their loved-ones in a beautiful way and to donate vital funds to the hospice is definitely a win-win.”
It costs over £12 million per year to run the charity’s services. After NHS funding, St Margaret’s needs to raise over £9.5m each year.
Anyone interested in dedicating a leaf on the Celebration Tree can find out more on the St Margaret’s Hospice website.