‘Remember Me Roses’ to bloom at castle this summer

Cardiff charity City Hospice’s popular, award-winning Forever Flowers campaign will return to Cardiff Castle for a fourth consecutive year this summer.

Supporters are invited to purchase a limited edition ‘Remember Me Rose’ to remember and celebrate the lives of family members, friends and colleagues. This year’s choice of flower symbolises love, affection and respect, while the colour also pays tribute to the charity which is marking its ruby anniversary this year.

Expertly crafted by the British Ironwork Centre, the unique and lasting tributes will feature in a beautiful display within the grounds of Cardiff Castle from Saturday 3 to Sunday 11 August. Those who purchase a flower will also be able to join with others at a special Celebration of Life event on Thursday 8 August.

Among those supporting Forever Flowers this summer will be Amy Olsen and her family. Their ‘Remember Me Rose’ will remember and celebrate the life of Amy’s husband Kris.

The couple had been together for 20 years and brought forward their wedding plans following Kris’ diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei, a rare cancer. City Hospice provided Kris with specialist palliative care until he passed away last summer.

Amy said: “City Hospice helped Kris stay at home which was where he wanted to be, and they sorted everything we needed. Our nurse Kath was incredible; she was so reassuring and answered any questions we had. Kris liked knowing that Kath was always there at the end of the phone, visiting us regularly and just how involved she was in his care.

“The charity has continued to support myself and our sons Max and Theo, helping us process our grief through specialist bereavement counselling locally and at school which has been so helpful for us.

“We are looking forward to seeing our rose in the Forever Flowers display at the castle. It will be a fitting tribute to Kris, a kind and loving husband and dad.”

Supporters will be able to collect their flowers, which are on sale for £25 from today, during the final weekend of the display and following the event. There will also be an opportunity for the roses to be personalised with an engraving at participating Timpson stores after the display at a significantly reduced cost.

Purchasing a ‘Remember Me Rose’ will support the work of City Hospice, the only provider of home-based specialist palliative care in Cardiff. In addition to providing care and services including welfare advice and complementary therapies to patients with terminal or life limiting illnesses, the charity offers counselling and support services for their patients’ families.

Liz Booyse, Chief Executive of City Hospice, said: “We are delighted to be returning to Cardiff Castle for our fourth year of Forever Flowers. Each rose represents a loved one and it will be so moving to see all the flowers together and the love that they symbolise later this summer.

“By getting involved with Forever Flowers, people will not only be celebrating the lives of their family, friends and colleagues but will also be supporting our work in the community and enable us to continue caring for Cardiff for another forty years.”

Forever Flowers is supported by Cardiff Rugby, Eversheds Sutherland, Harlequin, and Premier Forest Products.