Children's memorial statue damaged beyond repair

People have rallied together to help after sentimental items, plaques and a statue at a children's memorial garden were damaged beyond repair.

The damage to the Forever and Always Garden at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth has "broken" families hearts, according to Jade Hoskin, who looks after the garden.

She said items from the garden's shed were also stolen during the incident, which happened between 29 and 30 June.

Devon and Cornwall Police said inquiries were ongoing.

Hoskin said vandals had thrown baby items and memorial plaques into the pond and road, or broken them, which was a "big hit" to families.

"It broke our hearts to see our and volunteers' work destroyed," she said.

"Anything they could get their hands on, they've broken or stolen unfortunately."

A statue representing stillborn birth and miscarriage, which had been there since the garden was set up, was also damaged.

"Unfortunately, the statue isn't going to be fixable," Hoskin said.

"We don't want to replace it but maybe create a new one that our families still love, admire and means something to everyone."

She said more than £1,000 of damage was caused, but added they had since been "inundated" by support.

As a result, Hoskin said they did not have to spend a huge amount on repairs because people offered to replace items, with funeral directors also offering to re-do names on plaques.

Nearly all of the items in the shed have been replaced after one man raised money in his area.

"We are super grateful to the community," Hoskin said. "We've been inundated with people that are willing to help and donate."

Hoskin, founder of the Phoebe Hoskin Trust, took over the memorial garden with her partner in 2021 after using it while their daughter Phoebe was terminally ill. Phoebe died when she was nine months old.

"Before Phoebe passed away, it meant so much to us," she said. "It was a safe space for us to take a minute and reflect on what's going on.

"The garden takes the entire world out and you can just reflect and process things really, hence why we're so passionate about it.

"It centres people to just take a minute and think about their child and reflect on it, because the world is so busy and this separates it and allows them to have that time."

It is not the first time the garden has been targeted, with people previously reporting stolen items and shed break-ins.

"Even though the vandalism has happened, we are remaining positive as possible and we're going to redo it," she said.

"We won't let the vandalism dampen what is a safe and beautiful space."

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