PICTURE SPECIAL: Butterflies take wing as hospice hosts annual event

A Boston hospice held its annual Butterfly Release event at the weekend, using socially distant bubbles and timing the release over the day.
Butterfly Hospice butterfly release. Mayor of Boston Anton Dani and his wife Maria Dani with volunteer manager Paul Caddell. EMN-200921-103754005Butterfly Hospice butterfly release. Mayor of Boston Anton Dani and his wife Maria Dani with volunteer manager Paul Caddell. EMN-200921-103754005
Butterfly Hospice butterfly release. Mayor of Boston Anton Dani and his wife Maria Dani with volunteer manager Paul Caddell. EMN-200921-103754005

The event, the Butterfly Hospice’s first since coming out of lockdown, proved a big success, with all the release slots selling out.

The hospice has now ordered extra butterflies to allow for more releases to be done in private in the future.

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Event organiser Sue Simpson said: “This year in particular has been so very difficult for the people of Boston and the surrounding districts, and the Butterfly Hospice charity is determined to give back in some way to the families who have used our service.

Butterfly Hospice butterfly release. Chief Executive of Butterfly Hospice, Bridget MacPherson andvolunteer manager Paul Caddell. EMN-200921-103743005Butterfly Hospice butterfly release. Chief Executive of Butterfly Hospice, Bridget MacPherson andvolunteer manager Paul Caddell. EMN-200921-103743005
Butterfly Hospice butterfly release. Chief Executive of Butterfly Hospice, Bridget MacPherson andvolunteer manager Paul Caddell. EMN-200921-103743005

“For those who have lost a loved one at the Butterfly Hospice, we felt it appropriate that we continue to link with them, even under the stringent Covid conditions we are required to follow.

“We have been delighted that although this event is on a smaller scale than usual, we have received incredible support from our families. All our butterflies sold out on the day and in order to not disappoint those who wanted to join last minute, we have ordered for more butterflies for private releases.”

Bridget MacPherson, chief executive officer of the Butterfly Hospice, said: “The Butterfly Release is about sharing time and reflecting on the lives we cherish now and before.

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“The pandemic cannot deny the passion that we have in our relationships, for our own health and wellbeing, during the most difficult times and, ultimately, at end of life.

Butterfly Hospice butterfly release. Glenis and Paul Freeston of Sibsey. EMN-200921-103857005Butterfly Hospice butterfly release. Glenis and Paul Freeston of Sibsey. EMN-200921-103857005
Butterfly Hospice butterfly release. Glenis and Paul Freeston of Sibsey. EMN-200921-103857005

“Our charity had to mark this occasion, against all odds, but we couldn’t do it without help.

“Guardian Storage and Ringrose Law were keen to support with a financial donation in order for us to run this event; this means that monies raised have not been at a cost to the charity.

“We are also delighted that Boston mayor Anton Dani and his wife, Maria, joined us and continue to support us to provide opportunities to celebrate life, through fundraising, in order to continue a much needed local service.

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“The charity staff and volunteers have been crucial to the charity’s on-going presence in and around Boston and our thanks extend to them.

Butterfly Hospice butterfly release. L-R Peggy Limb with her neice Alison Houghton. EMN-200921-103827005Butterfly Hospice butterfly release. L-R Peggy Limb with her neice Alison Houghton. EMN-200921-103827005
Butterfly Hospice butterfly release. L-R Peggy Limb with her neice Alison Houghton. EMN-200921-103827005

“It was also incredibly heart-warming to have members of the off-duty nursing staff join with us, we have missed these staff immensely over the last few months.”

The Memory Garden, where the event took place, has been lovingly tended by Mick Bryant for the last six years since opening.

Mick, himself a volunteer, wanted to repay to the Butterfly Hospice for the care and dedication it gave to his late wife Mandy.

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He said: “The Butterfly Hospice was vital in helping Mandy in her last days and this place has a very, very special place in my heart.”

The Butterfly Hospice Trust is currently working with its clinical partners to reopen the hospice as part of the NHS Restore phase.