As reported in The Journal at the end of July, a display of crochet daisies has now been installed in memory of Chilcompton teenage fundraiser, Emma Welch.
Around 30,000 of the crocheted flowers, which were created as part of a world record attempt by Emma’s school friend, Victoria Roberts, are being installed at the Yeo Valley Organic Garden in Blagdon, and will be on display throughout August. A percentage of admission fees will also be donated to Brain Tumour Research, the charity which fourteen-year-old Emma worked tirelessly to support.
Emma died last year after a relatively routine operation to correct a curvature of the spine. Her death came just days after her triumphant world record attempt to assemble the largest teddy bears’ picnic on a mountain top.
Leading the way up Snowdon, along with Emma, was her faithful teddy, Daisy Bear, who has become the mascot to the latest round of fundraising from Victoria, with daisies (Emma’s middle name) used as a symbol to remember the teenager who “just wanted people to be happy.”
The climbing of Snowdon, together with other events, saw Emma raising more than £13,000 for Brain Tumour Research. Over the last year, Emma’s school friend, fifteen-year-old Victoria, has been continuing Emma’s work. In June, she orchestrated a new world record for the largest number of single crocheted items on display, with the pink, yellow and white daisies in The Forum, Bath, on the first anniversary of Emma’s death.
Victoria’s mum, Sandra, said: “Victoria has raised about £500 over the last couple of months. Norton Hill School has chosen Brain Tumour Research as one of their charities, so they have been fundraising there.
“They held a memorial day for Emma in June and everybody bought a daisy to wear. Daisy Bear has become well known in and around Midsomer Norton and on social media and Victoria is hoping that Daisy Bear can keep the awareness about Brain Tumour Research going in Emma’s memory.
“We will be having a stall at High Littleton and Hallatrow Village Day on Saturday, 27th August and will definitely be going to try for another World Record next year.”
She added: “We hope that the display will be beautiful and get people thinking about who Emma was and what Brain Tumour Research is all about.”
Emma’s parents, Tony and Lesley, were among those working to install the daisies at Blagdon along with Victoria and her family.
Lesley said: “It’s going to be amazing to see this wonderful sea of flowers on the lawn at this beautiful, organic garden. It is so important for us to continue Emma’s legacy and we are extremely grateful to everyone who is helping us to do this.”
Volunteers are being sought to help plant the flowers and, similarly to the installation of remembrance poppies at the Tower of London, there are plans to sell off the daisies once the display is taken down.
To make a donation to Brain Tumour Research in memory of Emma, go to: www.justgiving.com/remember/246803/Emma-Welch