Cardiff Blues support City Hospice’s Forever Flowers campaign

Cardiff Blues are pleased to support City Hospice’s Forever Flowers campaign, which will be proudly displayed at Cardiff Castle this summer.

Businesses across the city have pledged their support to the initiative which invites supporters to purchase a limited edition flower, designed and expertly crafted by the British Ironworks Centre, to remember cherished family members, friends and loved ones.

A unique and lasting tribute, the Forever Flowers will be displayed in one of Cardiff’s most iconic locations, Cardiff Castle, from Saturday July 24 to Sunday August 8. The flowers, which are on sale for £18, will be available to collect during the final two days of the display and following the event.

Cardiff Blues have a long association with City Hospice, particularly with proud ambassadors club captain Ellis Jenkins and advisory board member Nigel Walker OBE.

Mike Brown, Head of Communications and Marketing at Cardiff Rugby, said: “We have all been affected by the events of the last 12 – 18 months and cannot bear to think of the impact it has had on those who have lost loved ones. Forever Flowers is a superb, positive and visually emotive initiative, just a stone’s throw from our home, which we are proud to support.

“City Hospice provide an incredible service and play an inspirational role within our local community and as a prominent sports team, we will use our platform to support our community and raise the profile of important charity work.”

Purchasing a flower will support the work of City Hospice, Cardiff’s local hospice, which provides care to people with terminal or life limiting illnesses, as well as essential counselling and support services for the families of their patients.

The only provider of home-based specialist palliative care in the capital, City Hospice provides care and compassion to 550 patients at any one time.

Gareth Simpson and daughter Lowri, 7, are supporting Forever Flowers following the loss of wife and mum Cath in April 2019. Cath was sadly diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease aged 36 when Lowri was just 11 months old and was cared for by City Hospice.

Gareth said: “Throughout Cath’s illness we felt safe in the hands of our City Hospice nurse during this difficult chapter of our lives. I was cared for too and counselling continued after we lost Cath. This helped me come to terms with adjusting to life without Cath and find the right words to be able to talk to Lowri. I’m now able to have comfortable conversations with Lowri about her Mum today.

“We are delighted to be supporting Forever Flowers and keep Cath’s memory alive. Lowri is looking forward to planting our beautiful Forever Flower in our garden as a lasting memory of a much-loved wife and adored Mummy.”

Liz Andrews, Chief Executive of City Hospice, said: “Forever Flowers is an opportunity for people in our community to remember and cherish their loved ones in a truly special way.

“We are looking forward to the striking display within the beautiful grounds of Cardiff Castle this summer and encourage members of the public to be a part of it.”

Forever Flowers is sponsored by Brewin Dolphin and supported by Cardiff Rugby, Dario Security, Eversheds Sutherland and Azets.

To find out more or to order a Forever Flower, click here.

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