A unique fundraising appeal for The Donna Louise Hospice for Children & Young People has generated a huge public response.
1,500 specially crafted ceramic butterflies have been sold – raising £45,000 for The Donna Louise – with sales soaring since the unveiling of the breath-taking Taking Flight installation at Trentham Gardens in May.
There are now just 3,500 limited edition butterflies available and organisers are urging people to catch their butterfly before they all take flight.
“The response has been overwhelming and with a surge in sales expected over the school summer holidays, when Trentham Gardens visits will hit even greater heights, we don’t want people to leave it late and miss out,” said Nicky Birks, project manager and Head of Income Generation & Partnerships at The Donna Louise.
“It is a unique chance to own a piece of handcrafted art, made in the Potteries, while supporting local children, young people and families who rely on services at The Donna Louise.”
The vibrant blue butterflies have been crafted by two major names in the ceramics industry, Wade Ceramics and Johnson Tiles. Thanks to a unique partnership between a large range of Staffordshire and Cheshire businesses, every penny raised from sales goes to support the hospice.
Nathan Walton, Director of Income Generation at The Donna Louise, said: “With less than 9% of our funding coming from government sources, and with an ever-increasing demand for our services, the need for support is now greater than ever before. The project is the product of a unique collaboration with many companies coming together to work for the good of a much loved and much-needed service. I have worked in the business arena in this area for 20-plus years and this is the finest example of CSR collaboration I have seen.”
To buy a butterfly, please go online to www.thebutterflies.org.uk, each purchase includes one free day admission pass to Trentham Gardens, to view “Taking Flight” from the 25 May to 3 November 2019.
Once the installation is taken down, all owners will receive their butterfly in time for Christmas.
The Donna Louise provides a lifeline to families across Staffordshire and South Cheshire who are facing every parent’s worst nightmare; the heart-breaking knowledge that they will almost certainly outlive their child. The hospice provides specialist care and support services for children and young adults, with life-limiting conditions due to illness or injury, from birth until no longer needed. Their services are free of charge, and they rely hugely on the support and generosity of the community to make this possible.
ENDS
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