Merseyside Galvanizing has played a key role in the creation of a large commemorative statue that has been unveiled at a children’s hospice.
The Liverpool-based plant, part of Wedge Group Galvanizing, offered its galvanizing services to aid the construction of the steel sculpture, which has been installed at Ty Gobaith in Conwy, North Wales. The statue has been designed as part of ‘Dawn’s Flower Appeal’, a cause to raise money for the hospice, whilst commemorating the life of local outreach worker Dawn Owen, who sadly passed away in October 2009, aged 45.
The artwork, which was commissioned by Dawn’s husband David Dallimore as a lasting tribute, will stand at nearly four metres tall and depicts a beautiful cluster of flowers and creatures. It has been created by Conwy residents Giovanni Jacovelli, owner of garden statue and antiques specialist Garden Art, and retired designer Bob Haberfield.
“This was an inspiring piece to design and make - a more deserving cause, or a more beautiful setting than the Conwy Valley, where the statue is placed, would be difficult to find,” Giovanni Jacovelli revealed. “We wanted to make it both personal to Dawn’s memory and to be an eye-catching attraction for the residents and visitors to Ty Gobaith. The design that we created incorporates a large cluster of tulips, which were Dawn’s favourite flowers, surrounded by a ‘Magic Roundabout’-style array of creatures, and will hopefully be a fitting tribute.”
Richard Smetham, Sales Manager of Merseyside Galvanizing, commented: “We are honoured to be a part of such a worthy project that celebrates the life of an obviously inspiring woman. The process of hot dip galvanizing that we carried out on the steel memorial will protect the structure against rust and corrosion, ensuring it is a long-lasting tribute that will be admired for many years to come.”
The sister hospice to Shropshire-based Hope House, it provides regular periods of respite care to terminally ill children and their families in the North Wales area.