Epsom Babies Memorial Garden
Surrey Sands is raising money for Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity
“Surrey SANDS's fundraising”
on 12 March 2010
Story
Surrey Sands have launched a project in partnership with Epsom and Ewell Borough Council to build a dedicated Babies Memorial Garden within Epsom Cemetery to be known as the Sands Butterfly Garden.
For those who don’t know this cemetery it is in an elevated, peaceful and sunny position just below the famous Epsom Grandstand with stunning views in the opposite direction across London. Originally opened in 1871 and extended in 1996 it now covers 25 beautifully maintained acres.
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council have generously provided a 27’ x 27’ plot in the southern extension of the cemetery. The Babies Memorial Garden will form the central focal point of the section to the left of the central driveway; grave spaces to the back of it will be reserved for baby burials, and the ones immediately to the front for family burials with their baby. Surrey Sands are raising the funds for the design and construction whilst the land has kindly been donated by the Council.
A lengthy design process has now started with the aim of creating a tranquil space with stone sculpture, seating, planting, memorial walls and some creative paving!
The aim of the garden is to create a tranquil and reflective space for any family whose baby died during pregnancy, around the time of birth or in the first few weeks of life. It will be of benefit whether recently or long ago bereaved, especially for those who have no place of focus belonging to their precious child, or as may be the case for some have no idea where their baby was laid to rest.
This garden will also be important for the history of Epsom being the first and only Baby Memorial in the Borough. It is particularly poignant being opened in the year the Borough celebrates is 75th Anniversary and Sands are proud to be making history which will be documented by the Surrey History Society.
If you wish to make a donation towards the project you can do so via this page, however we are also hoping to engage the support of several independent fundraisers doing their own challenges. If you would like to get involved please contact Lorna Bland Chairman Surrey Sands on surrey.sands@btinternet.com .
Additional fundraisers for this project with their own pages are:-
their balances are regularly updated within our off-line figure to show the total amount raised so far for the garden. All donations made by cash or cheque are also show in this offline figure and are in a restricted fund solely for this project.
Surrey Sands are pleased to be working In partnership with all local businesses and craftsmen to maintain this as a community project:-
http://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/EEBC/ - donation of land
http://www.chessingtongardencentre.co.uk/ - design services
http://www.stonemarket.co.uk/ - donation of paving
http://www.fireandiron.co.uk/index.htm - donation of entrance arch
http://www.simonbuchanan.moonfruit.com/ - stone sculpture
Further information on Surrey Sands is available on our web site www.surrey-sands.org.uk
The garden will be opened on 1st June 2012 to mark the start of Sands Awarness Month, the Queens Diamond Jubilee and the 75th Anniversary of Epsom and Ewell Borough.
Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. Gift Aid is retained by National Sands.