Posts Tagged :

memorial

Memorial Event

 780 400 Hannah Myers
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Earlier this month, Spread a Smile held its third annual Memorial Event, A Time to Remember, kindly hosted by Clarksons at their offices in St Katharine Docks.

A Time to Remember is an important part of Spread a Smile’s ongoing care for families we support, ensuring we are there for them for as long as they need us. This deeply meaningful gathering brought together those who have experienced the loss of a child, providing a gentle and supportive space to come together, remember and honour their loved ones.

The ceremony was led by Judge, our poet, and focused on “smile” memories shared by families — precious moments of joy, love and connection that continue to be held close. Families were invited to write these memories on “memory leaves” and place them on a shared memory tree, creating a moving collective tribute.

After the ceremony, families were able to spend time together in a calm and supportive environment, with the opportunity to connect with others who understand similar experiences. A quiet rooftop gathering hosted by Clarksons followed, with refreshments available and space for reflection.

Throughout the day, gentle activities were available for those who wished to take part, including hand massages with aromatherapy from Priya and Laura, magic from Mr Magic, and plant pot decorating with Posey and Marina. Each family also received “forget me not” seeds to plant at home as a lasting symbol of remembrance.

Therapy dog Smartie also joined the day, offering comfort and quiet companionship. Marina, our Head of Art created personalised memory books for each family, thoughtfully reflecting their child’s life, personality and what they loved.

Spread a Smile Chief Executive Lucy Jackson, Director of Services Laura Walter, and Head of Family Events Ellie Walker were also present, supporting families throughout the day with Laura saying: “We will always be there for families, and will always honour and remember the special young people we have had the honour of supporting.”

We are deeply grateful to Clarksons for hosting this important event, to Children with Cancer UK for their continued support, and to Lola’s Cupcakes for their kindness in providing refreshments.

If your company would like to explore ways to support our work – by hosting an event, providing resources, or partnering with us, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at  fundraising@spreadasmile.org.

If you are a family looking for support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing smile@spreadasmile.org. We are here for you.

Our Memorial Ceremony with Clarksons

 780 400 Susie
By:

For the second year running, Spread a Smile was honoured to welcome families we’ve supported over the years to a deeply meaningful, non-religious memorial ceremony. Together, we remembered and celebrated the lives of children and young people who are no longer with us, in a space filled with compassion, reflection, and love.

We are incredibly grateful to our friends at Clarksons for their generous support in making this special day possible. Their team hosted us with great care at their beautiful offices at St Katharine Docks, providing both the venue and refreshments for the day.

The ceremony, led by the heartfelt and moving words of our very own Judge the Poet, invited families to reflect on memories through the symbolism of stones—smooth pebbles for everyday moments, rough stones for painful times, and gemstones for cherished and joyful memories. Each family selected a gemstone to take home and was invited to share written memories on a leaf, which was then added to our special memory tree alongside the name of their loved one.

Following the ceremony, families came together for a relaxed barbecue lunch generously provided by Clarksons. Children and adults alike took part in creative memory-themed arts and crafts, from collages and bracelet-making to bespoke balloon modelling. As a lasting keepsake, our Head of Art, Marina, created personalised memory books for each family to take home, something to fill with photos, stories, and treasured thoughts.

We are sincerely thankful to Clarksons for helping us provide a comforting and respectful space for families to honour their children and find strength in shared remembrance. As Lily Bagshaw, Event Manager at Clarksons, shared:

“Being able to offer our Corporate event space to host the Spread a Smile Memorial event means a lot to Clarksons, we want to be able to offer our help and support to such an incredible charity. It was a deeply moving experience, and you could truly see the comfort and strength it brought to the families who attended. Spread a Smile’s work is nothing short of incredible; the care and joy they bring to those who need it most is inspiring beyond words.”

If your company would like to explore ways to support our work, whether by hosting an event, providing resources, or partnering with us, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at fundraising@spreadasmile.org.

Our thanks also to Children with Cancer UK for their ongoing support and helping to make this event possible.

If you are a family looking for support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are here for you.