Christine Hughes, sadly passed away in December under the care of Salisbury Hospice. Christine was a teaching assistant for children with complex needs, supporting them within main-stream education at Manor Fields Primary School in Salisbury. Christine’s niece Stephanie, wanted her legacy to be “bright and beautiful, just like she was.” She thought sunflowers were the most symbolic way to remember, reflect and keep her memory blooming.
Stephanie saw online, a lovely saying that was everything her aunt aimed to instil in every child she met and worked with;
‘Advice from a Sunflower – Be Bright, Sunny and Positive. Spread Seeds of Happiness. Rise, Shine and Hold Your Head High’
Inspired by her aunt’s ethos, Stephanie set about making sunflower packets and gave each child at Manor Fields a packet of sunflower seeds with this ‘Advice from a Sunflower’. These sunflowers would be planted in remembrance of Christine and in hope of to bringing joy and light to others. Stephanie tells us more below.
“270 packets were delivered to the amazing Jo McMorrin who is the head teacher at Manor Fields Primary, who also gave such a heart-warming and fantastic reading at my aunt’s service. I also gave packets of sunflower seeds to St Thomas á Becket school, where my son attends. My son and daughter were close to my aunt who they fondly called ‘Tante’.
When it was Christmas, Harry and Lily, my children, drew Christmas pictures to put up in my aunts hospice room, she loved them and they were such a talking point for nurses and visitors alike. I wanted to try and bring a little light and colour to someone else’s dark days just as my children’s pictures did for my aunt.”
Students from St Thomas á Becket followed suit and drew sunflower pictures to donate to Salisbury Hospice. It is hoped the pictures will offer some brightness to others experiencing trying times. In addition to the pictures Stephanie donated further packets of sunflower seeds to the hospice for family members or visitors that may wish to take some seeds away with them. “
We are so grateful to Stephanie, for her wonderfully thoughtful gesture and for sharing this lovely story. We would like to extend our gratitude to all at St Thomas á Becket school, for the beautiful drawings which, will be treasured by all of us here at Salisbury Hospice.
