Butterfly Appeal
in partnership with MTL advanced
Dedicate a butterfly in memory of someone you love
This summer, we invite you to dedicate a butterfly in memory of someone you love. As part of our Butterfly Appeal, thousands of beautiful steel butterfly ornaments crafted by MTL Advanced will come together in the gardens of Wentworth Woodhouse, creating a powerful and peaceful tribute — a Meadow of Memories.
Each butterfly tells a story. Each one holds a wish. By dedicating a butterfly, you’ll honour their memory in a truly meaningful way, while helping Rotherham Hospice continue to add more life to every day for patients and families in our care.
Every dedication of £40 or over will receive:
- A personalised engraved tag to place on your chosen butterfly
- One visit to the Butterfly Appeal installation (4th-19th July 2026)
- Your butterfly and tag to take home as a lasting keepsake
- An invitation to our exclusive launch event to open the installation
About the installation
From Saturday 4th to Sunday 19th July 2026 (closed Mondays), the meadow in the gardens of Wentworth Woodhouse will be transformed into a breathtaking display of remembrance.
Open from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday, the Butterfly Appeal installation features hundreds of handcrafted steel butterflies, each one lovingly dedicated in memory of someone loved and missed.
At the end of the installation, those who made a dedication will be able to collect their butterfly and engraved tag or receive it by post, depending on their chosen option.
Day Tickets for additional visitors to the installation are to be booked directly through Wentworth Woodhouse for operational purposes. Income from the tickets will be split between Wentworth Woodhouse and Rotherham Hospice, benefiting both registered charities and ensuring both local organisations can continue to deliver worthwhile services for people in our area.
Your butterfly will be crafted by apprentices at MTL Advanced, right here in the region. Each one is made by hand — a skill being learned, a memory being made, before your butterfly has even found its person.
It’s made from Corten steel — the same material as the Angel of the North. Right now it has that cool, silver sheen you can see. But Corten steel is designed to change. Slowly, beautifully, it weathers into a deep, warm orange — something that only gets more distinctive with time.
When you dedicate a butterfly through the Butterfly Appeal, you’ll also receive a personalised engraved tag, allowing you to add the name and/or message of your choice. During the installation, you can place your tag on a butterfly of your choosing, creating a deeply personal moment of remembrance.
Once the display has come to a close, your butterfly and tag are yours to take home — to treasure in your garden, display indoors, or keep close in your own way, as a lasting tribute.
A butterfly for Darren
When Darren was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in August 2023, Susan knew the road ahead would be hard. What she didn’t expect was how much Rotherham Hospice would change it.
With his pain finally managed, Darren got back things they’d both stopped believing were possible — including three more rounds of golf, and a summer holiday in Devon. When the time came for him to go into the Inpatient Unit, Susan walked in frightened she was breaking the promise she’d made him. She wasn’t. He died at home on 7th January 2025, just as he’d always wanted.
Susan still comes to the hospice now — not out of obligation, but because it’s where she feels closest to the people who helped her through the hardest year of her life. And this summer, she’ll be returning to Wentworth Woodhouse — a place she and Darren used to walk together — to dedicate a butterfly in his memory.
Every butterfly dedicated helps Rotherham Hospice provide expert, compassionate care to local people living with a terminal illness — and vital support for their families too.
Your donation helps us add more life to every day, bringing comfort, dignity, and hope when it matters most.
In partnership with
MTL
MTL Advanced is a leading contract manufacturing specialist based in Rotherham, known for its expertise in metal fabrication and precision engineering. Their apprentices have generously crafted each steel butterfly for the installation, combining technical skill with heartfelt purpose.
In partnership with
Wentworth Woodhouse
One of the grandest stately homes in England, Wentworth Woodhouse boasts over 80 acres of gardens and a rich 300-year history. Now managed by the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust, it serves as a cultural and community hub — and the perfect setting for our Meadow of Memories.
With support from
Pryor Technology
Founded in Sheffield in 1849, Pryor Technology is a world leader in industrial marking and traceability solutions. For the Butterfly Appeal, they have kindly loaned the hospice one of their state of the art engraving machines as well as the ones on their site so that each of your loving dedications can be etched on steel whether that’s in the hospice or at Pryor Marking Technology.
You can dedicate a butterfly online by making a donation and sharing your dedication message. If you need any support or assistance with making your dedication, please call us on 01709 966 000. Each dedication includes an engraved tag to personalise your butterfly.
For those who have dedicated a butterfly and those who have purchased a day ticket, the installation at Wentworth Woodhouse will be open on Saturday 4th July from 9am. From then on, it will be available to visit 10am-5pm, Tuesday to Sunday from Sunday 5th July to Sunday 19th July 2026 (closed Mondays).
Day Tickets for additional visitors to the installation are to be booked directly through Wentworth Woodhouse for operational purposes.
Click here to purchase a day ticket.
Once you are in Wentworth Woodhouse, follow the signs to the Meadow of Memories. This is located at the back of the house on the lawn.
There will be Rotherham Hospice volunteers on site during Wentworth opening hours to assist you with any support you might need.
No — everyone is welcome to visit. If you haven’t dedicated a butterfly, you can still enjoy the installation with a standard garden entry ticket (£9.50).
Dedications should ideally be made in advance to ensure your butterfly and tag are ready. A small number of same-day dedications may be available, but cannot be guaranteed.
Yes — the installation is located on accessible paths and flat lawn areas within the gardens. Please visit Wentworth Woodhouse’s website for full accessibility details.
Yes — Wentworth Woodhouse regularly hosts other activities and events. Some may involve sound or movement that could affect the atmosphere around the installation. We recommend checking their event schedule in advance if you’re seeking a quieter visit.
Absolutely! Everyone is welcome to visit the installation. Standard garden entry applies for visitors without a feather dedication.
Yes — after the installation ends, you’ll be able to collect your butterfly and engraved tag to keep as a personal tribute.
Butterflies and their tags cannot be removed from the display until the end of the installation period (Saturday 4th July to Sunday 19th July).
If you are unable to collect your butterfly, we are able to post it out to you. All we request is you consider adding £5 to your donation to help us cover the cost of postage and packaging.
The installation is outdoors and will remain open in most weather conditions. Please dress appropriately for the weather.
Be part of something truly special. We’re looking for volunteers to help welcome visitors, guide them through the installation, and share the story of the Butterfly Appeal at Wentworth Woodhouse.
Whether you can give a few hours or a few days, your time will help create a meaningful experience for everyone who visits this Meadow of Memories.
No experience is needed — just a warm smile, a listening ear, and a willingness to help. In return, you’ll be part of a supportive team, making a difference for families remembering loved ones and raising vital funds for Rotherham Hospice.
