You can dedicate a beautiful forget-me-not in memory of a loved one, as part of a stunning new art installation at Gloucester Cathedral.

Hundreds of metal flowers will form a poignant sculpture to go on display in the cloisters garden between 5th and 26th March. Once the installation has ended, the flowers will be yours to keep as a lasting tribute. The money raised from the Forget Me Not Appeal will go towards Longfield Hospice's work in the community.

One flower will be placed at the cathedral in memory of Simon Bruton, a much-loved husband, dad and grandpa, from Minchinhampton, who died in 2019 aged 71.

His daughter, Molly Bruton-Cox, said: "When my dad was diagnosed with cancer, it was a huge shock for us all, as he had been such a fit and active man for so many years. As he became very ill, we didn't want him to stay in hospital and thanks to Longfield, he was able to be cared for at home. Longfield's Hospice at Home nurses were so amazing, as they didn't just look after Dad, they were there for us all too.

"Dad was such a big part of all our lives, and we were all devastated when we lost him, but we have so many happy memories to cherish. He was a wonderful husband, dad and grandpa to George, Rafferty and Hetty, who was born just before he died.

"We are determined to keep his memory alive with our children and that's why the Forget Me Not Appeal is so wonderful. It is another chance for us as a family to get together to remember Grandpa. The display at Gloucester Cathedral is such a lovely idea and we are really proud to support the campaign. The forget-me-not is such a pretty flower and those three words just say it all really."

Since Simon's death in May, his wife Cilla has also received free bereavement counselling help from Longfield.

Canon Andrew Braddock from Gloucester Cathedral said: "We are delighted to be supporting the wonderful work that Longfield Hospice does and to provide a place where families and friends can remember loved ones through the Forget Me Not display. Gloucester Cathedral, and especially its cloister gardens, have long provided a beautiful setting in which people may come to remember, pray and express their love for those who have died. The Forget Me Not display will provide a very special way of doing just that."

You can dedicate a forget-me-not for a suggested donation of £25. Anyone special can be remembered with the flowers, your loved one does not need to have been cared for by Longfield.

Simone Bernstein, Longfield Hospice chief executive, said: "It is fantastic to be working with Gloucester Cathedral on this poignant art sculpture. The hundreds of forget-me-nots will look truly stunning in the cathedral garden and we cannot wait to see them on display. The money raised from the Forget Me Not Appeal will go towards supporting families in need from our Hospice at Home service to bereavement counselling and day therapy."

To order a flower, visit www.longfield.org.uk/forget-me-not-appeal  or call 01453 886868

Photo credit: Thousand Word Media