A multi-sensory garden was opened on Saturday at Rebecca House children’s hospice in memory of baby Eva Rose.
A private opening for the garden was held which saw Ethan, Eva’s older brother, cut the pink ribbon and declare it open.
Almost 300 people then turned up for a Fairytale Fun Day where children were invited to dress up as their favourite fairytale characters.
Activities at the fun day included jugglers, face painting and entertainers, along with handmade cupcakes and a raffle to raise funds to help maintain the garden.
Inspiration for the garden came from Julie and Jonathan Crossley who sadly lost their beloved daughter Eva Rose, when she was just nine weeks old.
Julie said: ‘We had a vision of how the garden would look, how we wanted it to be.
‘It is multi-sensory, with music, different textures and lots of things to bang – perfect for children.
‘It has been a real labour of love, we hope it will not only help to remember Eva but be enjoyed for years to come by everyone involved in the children’s hospice and the main adult sections too.’
Eva, who was diagnosed with Edwards Syndrome, a genetic disorder, would have turned two on August 16 this year and was being looked after by the team at Rebecca House’s Rainbow Room when she died.
The Rainbow Room is a temperature controlled room where a child’s body can be kept so the family has the ability to spend time with their loved one, thereby facilitating the time and space to say their goodbyes, with a bereavement counsellor on hand should that be required.
It’s available for children, from birth to 18 years old, even if they have not attended Rebecca House.
Fundraising by the Crossley family began as a result of losing Eva in 2011 and in appreciation of the kind help and support the children’s hospice provided at that crucial time.
They raised some £30,000.
The garden will now become not only a lasting legacy to Eva Rose, but will also be hugely beneficial for the children that attend Rebecca House, their siblings and the relatives of patients of the main hospice.
Julie and Jonathan thanked the Manx community for all their support.
To make a donation to the upkeep and ongoing maintenance of the garden contact the Hospice fundraising team on 647434.
Or email fundraising@hospice.org.im
