A HEARTFELT new installation at Coughton Court near Alcester is celebrating the lives of loved ones.
The Myton Hospices Butterfly Effect will take place from Friday July 26 until Sunday August 11 and see more than 1,000 locally crafted, red, metal butterflies displayed in the grounds of the National Trust property.
Each butterfly will represent a loved one and Myton is inviting locals to make a donation in return for a butterfly.
Tom Cronin, is supporting the campaign alongside his two children, Percy and Cass, in memory of his wife, Katie.
Katie first discovered a lump in early 2022 and was given her cervical cancer diagnosis in February 2022.
Having undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Katie was told in September her cervix looked clear but a spot had appeared on her lung which was put down to an infection.
In January 2023, scans revealed the spot was cancerous and had spread rapidly. The family were told the cancer was terminal and to start to prepare for the future.
Katie arrived at Warwick Myton Hospice in April 2023.
Tom said: “It’s very difficult to put into words but our experience was unbelievable. The consistency of the care and how well both Katie and our family were treated was impressive. Of course the excellent care we received is the main factor of hospice care, but the little things meant so much more to us. It felt like nothing was too hard or inconvenient.
“We had takeaway nights, parties and friends and family were surrounding us constantly. We never felt like we had to ask for anything, it was almost encouraged for us to do these things as nothing was too difficult. We even managed to go to a local pub a couple of times and see Cass play football for the last time. Yes, the medical side was exceptional, but it’s these really little things that I will remember forever.”
Katie died on June 17 2023, aged just 37 years old.
It is said that the smallest movement of a butterfly’s wings has the power to change the weather on the other side of the world. The Myton Hospices are certain that, by the same token, small acts of support have the power to make a big difference.
The charity is hoping to raise £75,000 from this campaign to fund the recruitment, training and salary of a registered nurse for 18 months.
To find out more visit www.mytonhospice.org/Butterfly
