Worthing-based suicide prevention charity launches daffodils campaign
Daffodils are being placed in windows by supporters of a Worthing-based suicide prevention charity as a symbol of new beginning.
Bereaved mum Ann Feloy founded Olly’s Future in memory of her son, Oliver Hare, who took his own life at his family home in Worthing on February 14, 2017.
Four years on, she is encouraging people to place daffodils in a window in their home to remember their loved ones on Valentine’s Day.
Ann has written a Valentine’s Poem, called Daffodils, to mark the anniversary of Oliver’s passing.
She said: “Valentine’s Day is the worst day of the year for me, my husband Chris and our other son Samuel. It is a very hard day for so many people.
“I wanted to do something in my son’s memory, so I wrote the poem and chose the daffodil for a symbol. It signifies rebirth and new beginnings, as well as the coming of spring. It is one of the first perennials to bloom after the winter frost.
“It also stands for the love and light Oliver brought into the world, and which we are keeping alive through the work of our suicide prevention charity, Olly’s Future.”
More than 700 people attended Olly’s funeral at Christ Church, Worthing, on March 4, 2017, and each one was given daffodil bulbs to plant.
The aim of the charity is to share Olly’s love and light to help stop other amazing young people losing their lives to suicide. Visit ollysfuture.org.uk for more information.
Daffodils by Ann Feloy
Put daffodils in the window
The brightest of the bright
To remind us of your presence
To remind us of your light
Although the years are passing
Since last we saw your face
Your memory sustains us
With love and light and grace