An exhibition of St Elizabeth Hospice’s much-loved Material Memories’ bears is to be held at the charity’s Moments Coffee Shop, in Ipswich Town Hall, with the exhibition featuring a special tribute to hospice supporter, Sue Marshall.
Taking place between 29th February and 29th March, the exhibition will feature samples of bears and photographs.
Material Memories, at St Elizabeth Hospice, launched in 2019 with Sue Marshall leading the service. Through Material Memories, Sue used her fantastic creativity to hand craft memory bears made from the clothes of loved ones for hospice supporters to purchase as keepsakes, while she had also generously given her time as a hospice volunteer since 2017.
Sue sewed nearly 500 bears, all of which were unique and served as a special reminder of loved ones no longer with us. During this time she even hand crafted limited edition Platinum Jubilee bears, each bear featuring a unique number and authenticity certificate, to mark the Queen’s landmark year. With the 52nd bear being sent to Buckingham Palace as a gift to Her Majesty to celebrate her milestone.
She became a familiar face to many throughout the Suffolk community and helped raise over £10,000 for St Elizabeth Hospice through the Material Memories service, before her death in August 2022.
Lynn Maskell, Legacy & In Memory Officer at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “Sue was a hospice supporter for many years and her fantastic contribution raised both awareness and funds for our services, for which we will always be very grateful for.”
A team of talented seamstresses are now providing this service for the hospice and more details about Material Memories bears can be found www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/support-us/make-a-donation/donate-in-emory/material-memories/.
Alternatively you can call 01473 723600 or email fundraising@stelizabethhospice.org.uk.