The Tie a Yellow Ribbon event usually takes place each year at Forest Holme in Poole, during Hospice Awareness Month in June, and has been a special commemorative event for many. The day brings the community together in a joint celebration of our loved ones who are absent in body, but remain with us in spirit.

This year, due to the uncertainty of the lockdown roadmap, the hospice charity has teamed up with a number of local businesses, including Lighthouse, Dolphin Shopping Centre, The Lord Nelson and Sainsbury’s, to display yellow ribbon inspired artwork around Poole and create the first ever Forest Holme Arts Trail.

The hospice plan to design a route map of where the art is displayed, so that supporters can download the map allowing them to follow the trail, enjoying the art and encouraging them to donate to the charity at each location by scanning the QR code on the exhibit card.

The hospice isn’t looking for professional works of art, anyone can get involved, no matter your skill level or age. Send a photo of your completed works to fundraising@forestholmehospice.org.uk by May 31st and a selection will be chosen for this very special Forest Holme project

Lewis Hay, Fundraising Manager at Forest Holme, explains, “Our annual Tie A Yellow Ribbon event is a particularly important and poignant day in the hospice calendar and is a time to both celebrate and remember loved ones. We hope the trail will encourage people to get together outside and enjoy the yellow ribbon inspired artwork created by our wonderful supporters around central Poole.

When the artwork goes on display, people will need to visit the Forest Holme website to download the map. We hope the Arts Trail will bring friends and families together for a safe walk to appreciate what has been created in support of your local hospice.” 

Forest Holme Hospice cares for those with life-limiting illnesses in Poole and surrounding areas. Its team supports over 1,000 patients each year both at home, in hospital and in the Hospice.