Local woman encourages gerbera dedications in memory of loved ones to raise vital funds for St Giles Hospice

Ann Freeman, a Sutton Coldfield photographer, is urging others to join her by dedicating a unique Gerbera peg, which is personalised with the name of your loved one, in return for a donation to St Giles. 

Your Gerbera peg will then be placed in the Celebrate Lives Lived garden, at the hospice’s site in Whittington, throughout May, as well as featuring on a virtual garden. 

Ann has been making dedications to celebrate the life of her mother since she died in 2020. This year, Ann’s dedication holds even greater meaning, as she remembers not only her mother but also her father, George, who spent his final weeks in the care of St Giles Hospice in 2023.  

Ann is now calling on the community to join her in supporting the hospice’s vital work, ensuring other families can benefit from the same exceptional care her father received. 

Ann’s dad George became ill after a tumour was found on his pancreas. After being given days to live, George was cared for at St Giles for around three weeks.  

Ann said: “I was able to stay with Dad each night for 10 days, allowing me to be by my dad's side at the end of his life. 

"The team at St Giles - from the consultants to the cleaners - gave exemplary care to both me and Dad, enabling him to have a peaceful end of life. I remember one of the healthcare assistants ensuring that I looked after myself, even encouraging me to take a moment to eat. Another sat with Dad, holding his hand when he felt worried and alone, something I deeply appreciated. 

"On the day before Dad died, nurses helped take him outside in his bed so he could feel the sun on his face one last time - fitting for a man who was always a sunseeker.

“I had never been to a hospice before and was amazed by St Giles. The time spent with Dad at the end of his life was so important to me. Everyone was so lovely, and St Giles is such a great place." 

Funds raised from Celebrate Lives Lived will help ensure St Giles can continue to deliver vital care to patients and their loved ones.  

Ann continued: "The care my dad received was exemplary - there was always someone there to help, and he was never in pain. Experiencing that care with my dad, I want others to have the same dignity and comfort at the end of their lives, so we must support St Giles to ensure that can happen." 

The closing date for Celebrate Lives Lived dedications is midday on Wednesday 16th April. Dedications made after this time will not be included in the garden at Whittington, but will still be displayed on the virtual Celebrate Lives Lived garden. 

For more information about St Giles Hospice and the care it provides, visit stgileshospice.com