A town centre will once again blooms as businesses support a charity remembrance campaign.
The Daisy Appeal is organised by the Children’s Bereavement Centre, a charity which helps and guides children and young people coping with the grieving process brought on by the death or terminal illness diagnosis of someone close.
Daisies are at the centre of the campaign as the flower is said to symbolise childhood innocence and love. It was chosen by the charity as it can be interwoven and linked together to make a chain, representative of bringing people together in a shared grief and remembrance of lost loved ones.
“Our vision is for all bereaved children and young people to have access to the support they need at one of the most devastating times in their lives,” said chief executive Kate Baxter.
“By supporting this campaign your kindness will help us make this possible and ensure we can be there to support families when they need us most.”
As part of the appeal, the “Meadow of Memories” exhibit will return to the grounds of Newark Castle for the fourth year, on Saturday June 29.
Approximately 200 handmade wooden daisies will be displayed, with each daisy donated in memory of a loved one.
The unique event is sponsored by Bellway Homes and Ringrose Law, and enables families to sit for a moment of quiet reflection and remembrance.
Newark’s longest Daisy Chain on display in The Buttermarket
The community have also been getting involved in the Daisy Appeal including 40 knitters and crocheters helping to make daisy bunting, which is now displayed in Newark’s Buttermarket.
As part of the marketing and awareness of this year’s Daisy Appeal, crafters have created 1,300 hand knitted daisies to represent each of the children, young people, and their families the charity supported in some way during 2023.
The community engagement team at Newark and Sherwood District Council supplied yellow, white, and green wool to encourage as many people as possible to get involved.
Rachel Wilson, fundraising manager from the Children’s Bereavement Centre says: “Our team is overwhelmed by the response we’ve had from local knitters and crocheters. Our aim was to have 1,300 daisies displayed and we’ve exceeded this target. Everyone has gone to so much effort and they are all beautiful. We would like to thank all of the amazing people who got involved to help us with the awareness of such an important and special appeal.”
Lots of businesses have been decorating their window displays to show their support, including Village Chic and Petit Versailles who has transformed their shop fronts in support of the Appeal.
The Daisy Appeal is open to everyone, you don’t need to have received support from the charity to get involved. Anyone who has lost someone can donate for a daisy and visit the exhibit.
All welcome at the Meadow of Memories
Daisies in the “Meadow of Memories” will be available to donate on the day and for the first time can be decorated and personalised to make them even more special.
After the event, the daisies can be collected to be kept at home, planted in a garden, or given as a gift to someone.
As well as the daisy exhibit in the castle grounds, there will be therapeutic activities suitable for both children and adults with bereavement counsellors and support workers available to talk to throughout the day.
From simply having a cuppa and a chat to relaxing with a massage or a therapeutic activity. The whole family can get involved by decorating pots and planting seeds, making flower inspired bookmarks or simply wandering through the Meadow of Memories.
The event is open from 10.30am to 4.30pm at Newark Castle Grounds, and is free to attend.
