A kaleidoscope of bright blue butterflies have rested in the peaceful lakeside setting of Bowood House & Gardens for a special display to remember the lives of loved ones.

The Forever Butterflies campaign is being organised by Julia’s House children’s hospice to raise awareness and essential funds to support our lifeline of care for seriously ill children and their families.

Image
Bowood House with Forever Butterfly

Around 200 handmade ironworks butterflies – each one representing a loved one – were installed in a wave of blue at the Georgian House’s landscaped ‘Capability’ Brown parkland, from Wednesday 5 April to Saturday 8 April.

The popular historic and family destination between Chippenham and Calne opened to the public this month for its 2023 season.

Visitors were invited to walk amongst the butterflies, have some time of reflection and could also make a donation to Julia’s House to buy a Forever Butterfly in memory of someone special.

Butterflies are often chosen to represent the beauty and fragility of life by hospices, as well as a symbol of flying high with loved ones and feeling free.

Annabel Karmel, children’s nutritionist and author and Julia’s House patron, says, “Julia’s House is a charity close to my heart because of losing my daughter, Natasha.  Losing a child is the worst thing that can ever happen to a mother.  I always think what you do for others lives on, and what you do for yourself dies with you. And the work we all do with Julia’s House will live on through many generations of families. Forever Butterflies will help that work to continue and I will proudly be displaying my butterfly in memory of Natasha.”

Image
Display of Forever Butterflies at Bowood House

Melissa Boyns, Julia’s House fundraiser, says, “We’re so pleased to have the opportunity to display the Forever Butterflies in such a beautiful setting as Bowood House and Gardens. We’re hugely grateful to the team for going out of their way to make the event very special for everyone visiting.

“Now that the display has ended, the butterflies will be making their way to the homes of people, who have bought them in memory of someone they love. We hope more people will buy Forever Butterflies in the coming weeks and help to raise money to support our vital care for local families.”

It is still possible to buy your own Forever Butterfly in memory of someone special to you and to leave a lasting tribute of care in your community. Each Forever Butterfly costs £35, with funds raised helping to make a life-changing difference to seriously ill children and their families, including bereaved families.

The Forever Butterflies in Wiltshire have been kindly sponsored by local business Clinical Partners.

To buy your own Forever Butterfly and support Julia’s House, please visit our Forever Butterflies page.

Alternatively, you can email info@juliashouse.org or call us on 01202 644220.