A Cardiff hospice has seen hundreds of people sign up to take part in their remembrance campaign within a few weeks of its launch.

City Hospice’s campaign, Forever Flowers, invites locals in Cardiff to purchase a limited-edition flower in order to remember their lost loved ones. The flowers, which are available for pre-order, have been designed and crafted by the British Ironworks Centre.

The campaign comes as a response to the disruption that the pandemic has caused to many families’ grieving processes, as funerals and memorial services as well as in-person support for the bereaved have been heavily affected. City Hospice hopes Forever Flowers will be a way for people to remember and celebrate the lives of lost family members and friends during this time.

The flowers are available for purchase at £18 each, and the hospice expects them to swiftly sell out. Over 700 people have already bought a flower to take part in the campaign. Forever Flowers is also being supported by a number of local and national businesses.

All of the flowers purchased will be displayed publicly in a temporary installation at Cardiff Castle, from July 24 until August 8. From August 6 onwards, they will be available for collection. 

City Hospice is the only provider of home-based specialist palliative care in Cardiff. It cares for people with terminal or life-threatening illnesses, and also offers services such as counselling both for the families of patients at the hospice, and to other locals in Cardiff who have been bereaved. The hospice supports up to 550 people at any one time.

Liz Andrews, Chief Executive of City Hospice commented:

We’re overwhelmed at the incredible response to the Forever Flowers campaign. It’s a great opportunity for people in our community to remember and cherish their loved ones in a truly special way. We can’t wait to see the striking display this summer.

Flowers can be pre-ordered in City Hospice stores by filling out a leaflet, as well as online at http://www.cityhospice.org.uk/forever-flowers