Dr Kershaw's Rose to Remember Appeal join families in celebrating the lives of loved ones lost

A Royton Hospice has recently launched a poignant campaign inviting people to honour their loved ones with a beautifully handcrafted metal rose.

Dr Kershaw’s Rose to Remember Appeal gives families and loved ones an opportunity to purchase a rose to remember and celebrate those they have sadly lost.  

Each rose is a symbol of love, remembrance and celebration, and every one of them displayed in the hospice gardens represents a personal story, treasured memory or special connection. 

Most recently, seven-year-old, Pippa Johnson, supported the appeal in memory of her beloved step grandad, Wade Steven, after the hospice cared for him last year. 

Pictured above: Pippa Johnson with her step-grandfather, Wade Stevens.

The colour of this year’s rose – lilac – represents nostalgia, love and the rejuvenation of springtime. 

It also happens to be the favourite shade of young Pippa, who wanted to support the campaign after seeing the compassionate care provided by Dr Kershaw’s’ inpatient unit and Hospice at Home teams.  

Jill Kirkham, community and partnership fundraising lead, explained: "The Rose to Remember Appeal came from other hospices and we tend to work together. It started in 2022 and it has gone really really well."

There is something especially poignant about the roses first being displayed in the Hospice gardens, as many families will have experienced the care and support provided by the Hospice Team. Families can then take their rose home afterwards and plant it in their own garden as a lasting and personal tribute. 

Last year, Rose to Remember raised more than £15,000 for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice enough to cover more than a day of hospice running costs (25-26 daily running cost - £14,793.18). Those funds help it to continue providing vital palliative and end-of-life care and support for patients and families during some of the most difficult times of their lives. 

Campaigns such as Rose to Remember are essential in helping to secure the future of their services, both within the Hospice and out in the community through teams such as Hospice at Home. At the same time, Rose to Remember offers families a meaningful and comforting way to honour and remember someone special. 

Roses are available to order online, via telephone or at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice. There is also the option to book in advance for afternoon tea, provided by the hospice’s in-house Café K. 

Donations of £30 or more will also receive a special Rose to Remember badge. To order your rose or find out more, visit www.drkh.org.uk/rosetoremember.