An owl sculpture decorated in memory of a teenage girl called Evie Clover has gone on display at the Royal United Hospital, Bath.

Evie’s parents, relatives, friends and staff gathered on Friday, 29th November to see it in the garden of the RNHRD and Brownsword Therapies Centre.

Evie’s parents, Patsy and Bryan, won a plain, unpainted owl model at the Minerva Owls auction that followed the public art sculpture trail, featuring over eighty individually decorated, super-sized owl sculptures, seen in Bath and the surrounding towns – and the idea of Evie Owl was born.

Bryan Clover, Evie’s dad, said:

“After we won a blank owl at auction, we decided to have it painted with Evie’s favourite toys from when she was little. It seems fitting that the decorated owl has come here to the hospital, where it will be seen by lots of families and children, and where Evie’s name and memory will be maintained.”

Evie was 13 years old when she passed away from an aggressive brain tumour in January 2018. Polly Bates, RUH Paediatric Oncologist, who helped care for Evie, said: “Evie was truly a remarkable young woman and it was our privilege to care for her at home when she was so poorly. She leaves a legacy and a bit of magic and it is so nice to have this special owl to remember her.”

Bath Artist Laura Fearn, who decorated Evie’s Owl, said:

“It was really lovely to try to commemorate Evie using her favourite personal toys. I have tried to produce something that is appropriate, and I wanted it to be just right. I am very happy with the end result and glad that the owl is on display to help to remember Evie’s life.”

A plaque underneath Evie’s Owl reads: “Evie Owl celebrates the life and memory of our wonderful daughter, Evie Clover. Thank you to the RUH Oncology Unit staff who supported her at home during her illness. Evie loved sport and was a talented scholar and musician. She was full of energy and would wish that you, like her, live your life to the full.”

After Evie passed away, her parents set up a charity called “Evie’s Gift”.The charity aims to give financial assistance to parents whose children have been admitted to hospital with a life-threatening or life-limiting condition, and to fund research into the rare brain cancer that took Evie.

Evie’s Gift aims to pay for two or three nights’ accommodation locally and help to meet other costs associated with being near your child whilst they are in hospital.

For more information, visit: www.eviesgift.org.uk