Local Plymouth charity Hearts Together have unveiled a Butterfly Memorial Wall at the Hearts Together Hospital Hotel, conveniently located close to Derriford Hospital.
Opened by the Lord Mayor of Plymouth Councillor Mark Shayer, the event was attended by guests, supporters, and families of loved ones for whom a butterfly has been placed in memory. This moving occasion served as a heartfelt tribute of remembrance, celebrating the lives of beloved family members and friends, and honouring the lasting impact they continue to make for so many individuals and families supported by Hearts Together, through their legacies.
Hearts Together charity offers accommodation and tailored support services for a wide range of individuals with health-related needs, including patients receiving treatment at Plymouth’s local healthcare centres, and also for their carers and relatives.
Recognising the challenges faced by those having to travel long distances across Devon and Cornwall and from even further afield to receive medical care or support a loved one in the hospital, the charity provides a comfortable and welcoming environment where individuals feel safe and supported and are able to find solace during difficult times.
The Butterfly Memorial Wall within Hearts Together Hospital Hotel serves as a sanctuary of remembrance; a space to reflect on those who are no longer with us but who have provided key support in the charity’s story.
Among the butterflies, the charity remembers those who have left legacy gifts in their wills and gifts in memory of a loved one, as well as those who helped establish and build the charity, with a plaque dedicated to its founder Monica Pearce who first opened the doors to the Hospital Hotel in 2001 having successfully and tirelessly campaigned for cardiac services to be brought to Plymouth.
The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress Mrs Samantha Shayer attended the event, speaking to family members, staff team and supporters of the charity. The Mayor spoke about the difference that Hearts Together has and continues to make for many people across Devon and Cornwall but also within the local community, highlighting the significance and importance of the services and facilities provided by Hearts Together Hospital Hotel.
It was a deeply personal and moving experience for all who attended, whilst being very much a celebration of the lives of loved ones, sharing memories of happy times, in a bright and comforting setting giving the Charity team opportunity to personally thank so many family members for their continued and collective support.
The Lord Mayor said:
“I was never aware of all the work done here, and it is far far more than just a room. It wasn’t until I took the time to read the impact statement and read through all the things you do and thought about the wider implication of it”
Liz Harding chief executive of Hearts Together said:
“As a team, we feel honoured to be here with you today and share in remembering the people who are so close to your heart, many of whom we have had the privilege to know, often just for a short time, yet they made a lasting impression.”
