A couple created a unique storytelling sculpture trail on the grounds of their farm to raise money for a children’s hospital where their daughter was being treated.
Landscape gardener Matt Honeyborne and his wife Rachel created the path, which includes eight wooden sculptures, on their farm in Chester, Cheshire Live reports. Funds raised will go to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where their eight-year-old daughter Olivia was treated in 2020.
Olivia, who was born with a hole in her heart, underwent surgery at age three. During the procedure, Matt and Rachel were overwhelmed by the care they received from hospital staff and after Olivia made a full recovery, they wanted to give back to help other families in the future.
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Looking for something that would raise funds for the hospital over a longer period of time, Matt, along with his close friends Simon and Liz O’Rourke, wrote a children’s book called Fudge’s Evening Adventure. Olivia’s miniature dachshund Fudge plays the lead role and takes readers on a magical journey through Lower Farm where they meet the residents, including a pony, a barn owl and Olivia herself.
The trio completed the book in 2021 and due to its popularity, Matt and Rachel decided to create a sculpture trail on the grounds of their farm for families and fans of the book to enjoy. The pair took the form of the animals Fudge meets in the book and additionally enlisted the skills of Simon, a professional wood sculptor, to bring their vision to life.
Simon spent several months handcrafting the sculptures from scrap wood and tree stumps, and since the book was published the couple have raised over £13,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
The trail is open exclusively to guests from across the UK visiting the four cottages on their farm: The Shippon, The Hay Barn, The Parlour and The Dairy. Matt extensively transformed the cottages himself five years ago using his experience as a landscape gardener and they are now available to book through Sykes Holiday Cottages. Guests can also use the wildlife cameras during their stay.
Matt Honeyborne, editor of Fudge’s Evening Adventure and owner of Lower Farm, said: “We are eternally grateful to the staff who looked after Olivia. Writing the book was an opportunity for us to give something back to Alder Hey so they can help other families in their time of need.”
“Our cheeky miniature dachshund Fudge was the perfect character for the story, as was the area’s abundant wildlife. After discussions with our writer Liz, we created a heartwarming story describing life on Lower Farm.
“It is a fantastic feeling to give something back not only to the hospital but also to the families who come to us on the sculpture trail and stay in our holiday homes. We can’t wait to welcome even more visitors this summer to enjoy the sculptures.”
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