Willow Wood holding kids butterfly art competition

Willow Wood's Butterfly Memory Release usually takes place as part of a very busy Summer Fete, with live music, a barbecue, craft stalls, face painters and more.  

Indeed, this uplifting remembrance event is so popular that the 600-plus butterflies are set free in three separate groups, with families gathering to hear the chaplain's blessing and see the butterflies take flight in gardens.

However, this year, the Ashton-based hospice have had to take the decision that, even if social distancing is relaxed somewhat, they will not be able to go ahead with the Fete or invite participants to release the live Painted Lady butterflies themselves. 

Therefore, the hospice's chief executive, Karen Houlston, will release the butterflies all together following the blessing. It will be filmed so that everyone dedicating a butterfly will still feel part of the day. 

Although a remembrance event, the Butterfly Release is very family-orientated. Last year, there were children's stalls such as hook the duck, a coconut shy and of course a chocolatier!

This year, to keep that family feeling, the hospice is asking children to take part in a butterfly artwork competition, with a fabulous chocolate hamper as the prize.

Open to all ages, children are asked to create a butterfly, take a photo holding it and post on the Willow Wood Facebook page. They’ll all be put into an album, with a winner chosen at random on Saturday 11 July - the day of the release.

The hospice has already had a number of entries, including sisters Rosie and Alice (pictured) who created beautiful artworks using plenty of glitter! 

Guides for colouring in are available by going to www.willowwood.info/support-us/butterfly-memory-release, or children can create their own, using crayons, paints, hand prints, or even make a collage using different materials. 

The Butterfly Memory Release itself is open to everyone who wants to remember loved ones in this way, not just to those with a connection to Willow Wood. To find out more or to dedicate a butterfly online, visit the page above.