Legacy of Love: Appeal blooms into Dandelion field of lasting support for local families

13th September 2023

A beautiful display of dedication cards in the Garden of Wishes.

An awe-inspiring field of metal dandelions stood as the poignant culmination of a moving campaign from Acorns Children’s Hospice to remember lost loved ones.

Hundreds of limited-edition symbolic sculptures formed a special Garden of Wishes at the charity’s hospice for the Three Counties marking the close of this year’s Acorns Dandelion Appeal.

The campaign has captured the hearts of people across the West Midlands who, in paying tribute to their much-missed loved ones, are helping Acorns continue its care and support for local families during the darkest of times.

Those making dedications were invited to a special viewing of the installation on Saturday (9th September) in a touching spectacle that saw hundreds of the charity’s special-edition dandelions fill the garden at Acorns hospice in Worcester along with dozens of messages of love.

Siega Benwell, Deputy Matron at Acorns for the Three Counties, who joined the opening of the Garden of Wishes, said: “It has been wonderful to see the dandelions in our hospice garden. All of these beautiful sculptures, with their special messages, represent love which is felt all around our hospices each and every day.

Deputy Matron at Acorns Children’s Hospice, Siega Benwell, outside in the Garden of Wishes.

“Seeing so many moving messages is a privilege and shows just how much our supporters have taken our Dandelion Appeal into their hearts. Thank you to everyone who chose to remember someone special in this way. Your support means parents facing the unimaginable loss of their child will never be alone.”

Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care for children and young people with life limiting and life threatening conditions, as well as support for their families from its three hospices, based in Walsall, Birmingham and Worcester, and in the community. In the past year, the charity has cared for more than 700 children and supported almost 1,000 families, including those who have lost a child.

For more information or for interview, photograph or filming opportunities, contact the PR and Communications team at news@acorns.org.uk.

Notes to editors:

Due to the sensitive nature of Acorns care services it refrains from using the words ‘terminal’ or ‘terminally ill’ in its press releases and public communications when describing the children who use Acorns and the conditions that they have. Instead, Acorns uses the words ‘life limited’, ‘life limiting’, or ‘life threatening’. Acorns kindly requests that you respect this in your communications when referring to Acorns Children’s Hospice. Acorns children have a lot of living to do. Thank you.