Every year, Naomi House & Jacksplace pays its rent of 12 red roses on or around Midsummer’s Day.
This tradition dates back to before Naomi House opened in 1997, when Mary Cornelius-Reid kindly allowed a hospice to be built on her land in the Sutton Manor Estate. This offer came with two conditions; that the hospice be named after her youngest daughter, Naomi, and that each and every Midsummer’s Day, the hospice pay a peppercorn rent of a dozen red roses. Although Mary passed away in 2014, staff honour the tradition by presenting a bouquet of flowers to Naomi and her brother, David.
It was such a pleasure to be able to come back to the hospices and receive our annual rent of 12 red roses in person this Midsummer’s Day. It’s amazing to see how the hospices are managing to continue to support life limited and life threatened children and young people, despite the challenges, and it is always a joy to catch up with the wonderful team. It’s very special to receive the roses from one such child and continue this lovely tradition.
We want to say a huge thank you to the Cornelius-Reid family for their ongoing support and generosity. We always look forward to this day, to honour the tradition and pay our rent of a dozen red roses on Midsummer’s Day. Thank you also to Patrick, for presenting the flowers to Naomi and her brother, David, you brought a smile to our faces