Illuminated daffodil lights up at Caernarfon Castle
Press release published
Terminal illness charity Marie Curie has unveiled a striking ‘Garden of Light’ at Caernarfon Castle in North Wales today to mark the launch of the charity’s annual Great Daffodil Appeal – the charity’s biggest fundraising drive which takes place every February and March in Wales.
The immersive art installation features a giant 10 foot daffodil lamp and yellow armchair covered in 300 daffodils – each daffodil representing someone affected by terminal illness who will be helped by Marie Curie in Wales this March.
The Welsh Government’s historic environment Service (Cadw) will host the sculpture at the at the Caernarfon site until Sunday 4th March in recognition of Marie Curie’s invaluable work in supporting patients and their families.
Visitors to the castle will see the installation light up when they walk beneath the lamp or sit on the daffodil chair.
Llangollen based artist Ticky Lowe, who created the artwork with support from blacksmith Julian Taylor, said she was thrilled to have been asked to help the charity highlight their biggest annual fundraising appeal:
“It has been a privilege to design and create this installation for Marie Curie,” she said.
“The giant daffodil itself will glow with light after dark and its centre or corona, which I have accentuated to look more like an old fashioned lampshade, will light up when someone is underneath it. This is to symbolise the light Marie Curie Nurses bring to people when they are living with a terminal illness.
“Under the light of the giant daffodil is a bright yellow armchair covered in hand stitched Marie Curie daffodils representing the number of people affected by terminal illness that Marie Curie will help this March – during the charity’s Great Daffodil Appeal.
“Although the installation is outside I wanted to give it a comforting homely feel to reflect the warmth and focus on the individual that Marie Curie provides for terminally ill people and their families.”
Visitors will also be able to leave behind a memory of a lost loved one - by writing a message on a daffodil and placing onto one of two ‘Memory Walls’ by the installation.
The installation marks Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal which sees Marie Curie volunteers giving out daffodil pins in return for donations across Wales this February and March. Every penny raised and every daffodil worn, helps fund crucial hours of care at home and in Marie Curie Hospices for people living with a terminal illness in Wales.
Among those caring for terminally ill people is Gwynedd and Anglesey healthcare assistant, Ruth Christie. Ruth was inspired to work for the charity after her Aunty Marian was supported by the Marie Curie nursing service in 2011.
“She was an amazing woman, who always wore her heart on her sleeve, and even during her darkest hours, would bring a smile to people’s faces,” said Ruth.
“As a Marie Curie healthcare assistant, I see the importance of supporting people at the time when they need it most. The Marie Curie Nursing Service was able to provide one to one care to Aunty Marian in the comfort of her own home. Marie Curie was our helping hand, a cup of tea, listening ear, kind and reassuring words and our comfort.
“Some of the nurses who care for Aunty Marian I now work with and I feel honoured to now be providing the same help and support to other patients and their families.”
To find out more about the Marie Curie Garden of Light at Caernarfon Castle visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/Caernarfongardenoflight.