The Cransley Hospice Trust 25^th Anniversary art installation “Robins appear when loved ones are near” was unveiled on Friday evening. HM Lord-Lieutenant James Saunders Watson attended the special reception for supporters to open the installation in memory of loved ones and to raise money for the Northamptonshire charity.

Local businesses, AAbott and Sons, BED Electrical, CFW Chartered Accountants, Chester House Estate, Elsby and Co, Knights and Hide, Smurfit Kapaa, Tollers Solicitors, Wilson Brown Solicitors and Yusen Logistics have shown their support for the Northamptonshire charity by sponsoring the installation which will remain at Chester House until the 25^th June, free for anyone to visit.

The 500 Robins are majestically perched on stakes to create the shape of a heart, reflective of the Cransley Hospice Trust logo. The 250 white Robins are encircled by 250 black. The shadows and movement of each of the Robins as they gently oscillate in the wind give the exhibition a special movement and texture. Each Robin has been individually hand-crafted by local potter, Louise Crookenden-Johnson and carefully arranged, pointing to a large hand-painted ceramic bowl.  This special bowl created and hand painted by Louise has been commissioned in memory of Gerard O’Flaherty, the Chaplain at Cransley Hospice who died unexpectedly just a few weeks ago and will be given to the hospice in his memory after the exhibition.

Jennifer Caldwell, who purchased a Robin in memory of her son Craig who died in the hospice, was at the unveiling on Friday evening with her family and said “I can’t believe how beautiful the installation is – it’s so moving. I’m so glad that we were able to come and see it first, on such a perfect evening and meet the artist. We purchased quite a few for the family and will be putting them in our gardens in memory of Craig. The support Cransley Hospice gave to me and my family was incredible and will never be forgotten – it means a lot to us to be here and to support Cransley.”

Cransley Hospice Trust hope to raise in excess of £20,000 from the 25^th
anniversary art installation to support and develop end of life care for the community of North Northamptonshire.

Louise Gurney, Fundraising and Events Development Manager
said “Friday was the perfect evening for the unveiling of the beautiful installation. It is very serene and beautiful and we hope as many people as possible will come to visit it whilst it is here. We are passionate about developing end of life care in our community so that more families like Jennifers can receive the care they need at a time when they need it most.”

Anyone wishing to support Cransley Hospice Trust in their 25^th anniversary year can donate via their website www.cransleyhospice.org.uk, or when they visit the exhibition and children can take part in the Robin Trail around the grounds of Chester House.