Poppy the GoGoHare goes to the Jenny Lind Children’s Hospital

Patients and visitors to the Jenny Lind Children’s Hospital in Norwich will now be greeted at the entrance by a very special nurse.

Poppy the GoGoHare featured in last summer’s trail for local children’s charity Break.  She is a WW1 nurse inspired by Edith Cavell and the many other brave nurses who served in the war.

Poppy was sponsored by Norwich-based Independent Financial Advisers Almary Green, who are now part of the Smith & Pinching Group.  Almary Green’s Managing Director Carl Lamb commissioned the design to commemorate the centenary of the end of WW1 in 2018.

Almary Green purchased Poppy prior to the GoGoHares auction last October in order to be able to commit to loaning the sculpture to Norwich Castle from October to January for their “Armistice:  Legacy of the Great War” exhibition.  Mr Lamb is keen for Poppy to be on display to the public and is pleased to be able to loan her to the Jenny Lind.

“I believe it’s important to continue to honour the sacrifices made by everyone who served in WW1, so am delighted that Poppy will be on show at the hospital.  Hopefully she will put a smile on the faces of the families who need to spend time at the Jenny Lind,” said Mr Lamb.  “It’s also a real pleasure to be able to help continue the legacy of the GoGoHares trail and Break:  they do such good work with families and young people in Norfolk.”

Paul Mellor, Paediatric Matron for the Jenny Lind Children’s Hospital, said:  “Our young patients and their families will be delighted to see Poppy as they arrive at entrance to the Jenny Lind.  We aim to provide a stimulating environment for children who are visiting our hospital and this generous loan combines a playful feature with an educational element.”

Break’s Fundraising Manager, Martin Green, helped to transport Poppy to her new home.  “It’s so comforting to know that Poppy will continue to bring joy and delight to those who gaze upon her.  The public response to the GoGoHares has been truly incredible. Long may these sculptures spread happiness to the community and in turn raise awareness for Break.”

Poppy was also the inspiration for the children’s book “Sister Poppy at the Front” which was written by Brenda Gostling, marketing consultant for Almary Green and the Smith & Pinching Group, and illustrated by GoGoHares artist Mik Richardson.  Almary Green supported this project by sponsoring the donation of a copy of the book for every primary school in Norfolk.  When accompanying Poppy to the hospital, Mrs Gostling presented a copy of “Sister Poppy at the Front” to the Jenny Lind team.

Almary Green took part in the two earlier Sculpture Trails organised by Break in partnership with Wild in Art and purchased both Biggles the GoGoDragon and Juno the GoGoGorilla at the end of the trails.  Biggles is currently on display at the RAF Radar Museum at Neatishead and Juno in the East Atrium of the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital.