A striking new tribute celebrating love, remembrance, and community has been unveiled as Sobell House Hospice launched its Forever Flowers display at Blenheim Palace. The installation features 680 handcrafted golden flowers, each representing the number of individuals the hospice cares for in the community at any given time.
Every flower was purchased by a supporter, with many dedicated in memory of a loved one. Created to remember, celebrate, and support local families, the visual tribute was sponsored by local companies Darke & Taylor and ODS. These sponsors not only funded the spectacle but also provided essential expertise and manpower to assemble the display.
The Forever Flowers installation was a key feature of the hospice's Spring Stroll fundraising event, which took place on Sunday, May 10. Visitors attending the stroll had the opportunity to view the display along their route and mark a moment of reflection as part of the hospice's special 50th anniversary celebrations this year.
Community Support and Sponsorship
Emma Hope, social value lead at ODS, said: "At ODS, we are dedicated to making Oxford the best it can be, and Sobell House plays a vital role at the heart of our community. The Forever Flowers event is a meaningful opportunity for people to reflect and remember, and we are proud that our volunteers are supporting it. Sobell House continues to push the boundaries of what compassionate, high-quality palliative care can look like, and we are pleased to support them as a sponsor so they can continue to do what they do best."
A spokesperson for Darke & Taylor commented: "We are proud to support Sobell House's Forever Flowers event, reflecting our long-standing relationship with an organisation that means so much to so many people. Sobell House has provided incredible care and support to many families connected to Darke & Taylor, and being able to co-sponsor this special event is a real privilege. We hope it brings the community together and that many people will enjoy and take comfort from it."
Spring Stroll Event Details
Participants in the Spring Stroll, which began at 10am, chose between two walking routes of 2.5 miles or four miles. Both routes were fully accessible for wheelchair and pushchair users, with dogs also welcome on leads. The flowers remained on display throughout the weekend of Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10.
