North Devon Hospice invites public to memorial event

North Devon Hospice is inviting members of the public to join in their upcoming in-memory event, Floating Bye. 

Scheduled for Sunday, July 21, this gathering offers a poignant opportunity for local residents to commemorate loved ones they have lost.

As part of Floating Bye, participants are encouraged to write messages of love and remembrance, which will be attached to beautifully crafted rafts adorned with flowers. 

These rafts will then be towed out to sea on the ebbing tide, as the sun sets.

Robyn Tregaskes from the North Devon Hospice Fundraising Team, said: “Floating Bye is, without doubt, one of our most moving events and gives anyone in North Devon the chance to mark the memory of someone they miss as part of this uplifting Gathering. Reading such beautiful messages and watching the raft being towed out to see against the sunset is just magical and a wonderful way to support the hospice, so we can continue providing care to others facing loss.”

Floating Bye is open to all members of the community, regardless of whether they have received hospice care. 

North Devon Hospice provides care for local people who are affected by cancer and other life-limiting illnesses. 

As well as offering support at home, patients can also be admitted to their Bedded Unit when symptoms become more severe, for help with pain management and to make them feel as comfortable as possible when they need it most.

One of those attending this year’s Floating Bye - kindly sponsored by Heritage Cob & Lime – is Ann Morrow, who will be remembering her grandson, Myles.

Ann said: “I attend Floating Bye with my son and daughter-in-law and it’s always a special event. There are tears and sadness but so much love, and watching the raft with those beautiful messages on helps us all feel closer to those we’ve lost. To everyone at the hospice who does such wonderful work, thank you.”

Floating Bye takes place on Sunday, July 21 on Instow Beach from 5.45pm. 

To find out more about this event or write a message and make a donation in memory of a loved one, please visit www.floatingbye.co.uk