A daughter will dedicate a daffodil tribute to her dad this summer as she supports City Hospice’s Forever Flowers campaign.
Forever Flowers is an annual campaign, now in its fifth year, which invites supporters to remember cherished family members, friends, colleagues and other loved ones with a unique and lasting tribute. The limited edition daffodils will feature in a striking display within the grounds of Cardiff Castle from Saturday 2 to Sunday 10 August, with a special Celebration of Life event taking place on Thursday 7 August.
The charity’s Forever Flower this year is the daffodil, Wales’ national flower, which for many symbolises hope, resilience and new beginnings.
Lani Kirkman, 16, will be remembering her dad Lee with a daffodil at the display next month.
Lee, a loving husband and father with a cheeky sense of humour, was an experienced gas engineer and Manchester United fan. He was sadly diagnosed with a glioblastoma in 2022. Prior to his illness, Lee had experienced no symptoms or signs that anything was amiss.
Just 14 at the time, Lani stood by Lee’s side during his illness, even helping to shave his head when his hair began to fall out. Meanwhile Lee threw himself into volunteering to give something back, supporting projects and trials with Down to Earth for Velindre, the Brain Tumour Charity and Cardiff University.
In the final months of his life, City Hospice provided Lee with specialist palliative care and counselling, as well as additional counselling support for Lani and his wife Lucy.
Lani said: “Dad lived life with joy. We loved to go on dog walks; I think that is one of the main memories I treasure.
“I remember being introduced to City Hospice because my dad was having palliative care. I went for counselling and my mum also had counselling. I did art therapy at my school as well.
“I am writing a 27-poem poetry book in memory of my dad to raise awareness about what I’ve been through, because I know that I’m not the only one and a lot of the time feelings can get disregarded and people don’t necessarily like talking about them. By writing my emotions down, I can allow everyone else to relate to how I was feeling.
“Some of the proceeds of my book will be going towards City Hospice because of the kind and loving staff, and the care that they provided for myself and my family at such a difficult time. I’d like to say thank you to City Hospice for all the care that they’ve given me, my mum and my dad, and to all others that are going through a similar situation.”
Lani has previously taken part in the charity’s Sparkle Walk event and this summer is supporting Forever Flowers.
Lani added: “This year my mum and I purchased a daffodil in memory of my dad, and I’m really excited to see it in the castle.”
