Bereaved children's tribute at Joseph Weld Hospice (From Dorset Echo)

Bereaved children's tribute at Joseph Weld Hospice

8:00pm Friday 26th February 2010 in

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BEREAVED children planted snowdrops and drew pictures to remember lost loved ones.

Six youngsters from across the county took part in the first event of its kind at the Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester.

As part of the activities the children, all aged between five and 16, drew pictures of memories of the people they were remembering – a granddad, two dads, an auntie and a mum.

Accompanied by parents, grandparents and other family members, they then planted the spring flowers in the hospice garden.

The inaugural Children and Families Snowdrop Remembrance Event was organised by the charity’s family support team and proved so successful it is to become an annual event.

Children’s support worker Jo Sharkey said: “All these children have had support from the family support team at Weldmar after losing family members who had been supported by the trust.

“The snowdrops, compost and pots were kindly donated by Galton garden centre manager David Hollingsworth.”

The ‘very moving morning’ enabled the children to meet other youngsters in a similar situation.

Jo said: “It was very helpful and everyone understood what was going on for the others.

“Even the twins said it was good to see the other children as they hadn’t realised there were other people in the same situation.”

As well as the artwork, the children had reflective time listening to the REM song Everybody Hurts.

They all took away cards of attendance and silk snowdrops as a memory of the day.

Jo added: “It’s the first event we’ve ever had and we came away very enthused to do more similar events.

“We had such positive feedback that we want to do a children’s summer picnic too.”

The Weldmar Hospicecare Trust’s family support team helps children whose relatives have been treated by the charity. To find out more, contact Jane Barnett on 01305 215395.