A new appeal by the Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity is fundraising to create a new garden at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
The Commemorative Dandelion Appeal gives people the opportunity to dedicate a wire dandelion with a personalised message for a suggested donation of £25 – to remember a loved one or even to say thank you to the NHS.
The proceeds from the dandelions will go towards creating a tranquil green space at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, to help support the wellbeing of staff who have been fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.
Critical care consultant and clinical lead for intensive care, David Windsor, said: ‘Green spaces are so important. We work in quite an enclosed environment so to have somewhere we can take patients or for staff to go and relax outside is vital.’
Head of fundraising at Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity, Richard Smith, said: ‘During the first wave of the pandemic, hospital staff were asked how we could support their longer-term wellbeing and creating new spaces for people to take time out was one of the ideas suggested. So, we are delighted we can help to make this a reality with our new appeal.’
Dandelions were chosen after the charity launched its Every Name A Person initiative during the pandemic. With patients unable to have their loved ones close by, the charity ensured no-one died alone and commissioned a set of carved wooden dandelions – one to be kept with each patient who passed away and another sent to their family to commemorate them.
The dandelions for this latest appeal, which were created by Dursley-based artists Sadie Kitchen and Jackie Lantelli, will be displayed at Cheltenham General and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital from Monday 19 to Friday 23 April 2021 as part of a commemorative week.
