My name is Rachel, and I am the Supporter Engagement Fundraiser at Springhill  Hospice. I wanted to get in touch and share our appreciation for all the support you have given to Springhill. Every year during our Sunflower Appeal, our award-winning gardens are filled with heart-warming sunflower dedications; in memory of hundreds of special people. Last year your wonderful dedications raised over £10,000 towards Hospice care; enough to provide 128 counselling sessions to support patients, as well as 46 visits from one of Springhill’s Specialist Palliative Care Nurses to patients in their own homes.

This year I’d like to invite you to do something special to remember your loved one, whilst helping to provide specialist Hospice services. You can dedicate a sunflower to your loved one which will be displayed as part of our celebratory Sunflower Trail. We’re trying to become more sustainable at the Hospice, so have replaced the previous plastic based sunflower plaques with a more environmentally friendly card based sunflower display for 2024.

You will also receive your sunflower decoration to personalise with your own special message and display wherever you wish.

Your dedication will be available to view in the Springhill Sunflower Trail which opens at our Summer Garden Celebration on 4th August. The Sunflower Trail will remain on display until the 1st of September for you to visit at a time that suits you.

I had no prior experience of palliative care until I lost my Nan, Gwen, in August 2022. I then became part of the Springhill family in November last year and it brings me great joy to be part of such an amazing team, who provide an incredibly vital service across Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale. 

I have many happy memories of spending time with my Nan, knitting and chatting. She always gave the best advice and no matter how bad a day you were having, she would always find a way to see the silver lining. She faced incredible hardships in life but was always a beacon of hope to everyone around her. Even when she lost her sight  in one eye during the Second World War and was in hospital healing, she became a live-in nurse and supported the other patients!

Nothing will ever fill the space my Nan left in my heart, but I will be dedicating a sunflower to her. She would be delighted to know that we have made a donation to the Hospice in her memory, and that it will make such a difference to others going through the most difficult time in their lives.