"Placing a ribbon on the memorial tree each year has become an important tradition for our family."

Published 19 May 2026 More in

Stories

“Placing a ribbon on the memorial tree each year has become an important tradition for our family.”

When John’s partner’s mum, Sam, died at St Christopher’s two years ago, he had no idea that his own mum Jackie had also spent her final days in the care of the hospice – when he was just five years old, back in 1997.

Having made that belated discovery, it means John joins his partner Molly, her sister Georgia and their Dad, Steve, at all the St Christopher’s remembering events. John reflects on the memory of his own mother as well as sharing memories of Sam.

“I grew up not having a place to remember my mum and to reflect on her life,” says John, a security manager at Canary Wharf.

“Now I have that place. It’s a new experience and it’s one we all want to keep going because it’s an opportunity to remember Jackie and Sam and it bonds us with the hospice. It’s so nice to have a place to remember them and not let their memory die.”

A photo of Sam Rootes - she has short blonde hair and is wearing a smart black dress. She's sitting at a table, at a party, looking away from the camera and smiling widely at someone.

The Rootes family at a Ribbons event at St Christopher's. They're standing in front of the tree which is covered in hanging, colourful ribbons.

John joined the family at the Ribbons event in the garden at St Christopher’s just weeks after Sam died in 2024.

“We all wanted to come together as a family to hang a ribbon on the tree in the garden,” he adds.

“It was there in the garden at St Christopher’s that we all have one of our best memories of those final days with Sam.

“We brought the grandchildren in and the staff brought Sam out to the garden in her bed by the fishpond. It was beautiful, the sun was shining and her grandkids played around her as if nothing was wrong. It’s a memory that will last with us forever.”

It was that moment that stood out for Sam’s husband, Steve, too as an example of the compassionate care shown by all the staff at St Christopher’s. He adds: “Those moments meant more than words can express. It’s these small, thoughtful acts that show how much a hospice supports not just the person who is unwell, but their whole family.”

John has learned from his Dad that Jackie and her family also enjoyed some memorable moments out in the garden during her stay at the hospice back in 1997.

“Now, we’ve placed leaves on the memory tree at St Christopher’s for both Sam and Jackie and that’s one more special reason for us to keep coming back.”

Sam spent just three days at St Christopher’s, but it was enough time for the quality and style of care to make a big impression on Steve, Georgia and Molly and returning to the hospice regularly with like-minded people is a source of solace for the family.

“Mum spent her final days there, and the care and compassion shown to her and our family means a great deal to us,” says Georgia.

“Coming back each year to place a ribbon on the memorial tree, take part in the Fun Walk and attending the remembering service helps us feel connected to her, reflect on the love we shared, and remember that she is never forgotten. It is also comforting to be among others who understand loss and to share in a space of remembrance, support, and peace.”

“Those moments meant more than words can express. It’s these small, thoughtful acts that show how much a hospice supports not just the person who is unwell, but their whole family.”

A photo of the Rootes family at Fun Walk. They're all wearing personalisd blue tshirts with a photo of Sam, smiling at the camera. It's a sunny day.

As well as one of the opportunities to hold Sam and Jackie in their thoughts, Fun Walk is also a chance to raise money for the hospice – something John was very keen to do when he discovered his own personal connection.

“I’d never really run properly before – only played football – but I decided to run the London Marathon for St Christopher’s. I would have run in Sam’s memory anyway, but finding out they cared for my mum too gave me another reason.

“It was amazing to do. I really had to go through some pain but had to keep reminding myself that it was nothing compared to what they had to endure.”

John raised £4,000 completing the marathon and knows the importance of every penny.

He adds: “As well as an opportunity to remember Sam and Jackie, coming together again as a family there feels like it really helps bond us even more closely with St Christopher’s and we know they need our support now more than ever.”

“Placing a ribbon on the memorial tree each year has become an important tradition for our family, bringing us together to reflect, remember, and feel close to her again.

As the Ribbons event approaches the family inevitably has slightly mixed feelings.

“Yes, we do look forward to these events,” says Molly.

“Although they can be emotionally heartbreaking, they are also comforting and meaningful. They give us the chance to pause, remember our mum, and honour her in a special place that cared for her so well.”

The regular opportunities to return to St Christopher’s as a family provoke the same emotions in Steve.

“We will continue to return each year for as long as we can, doing what we’re able to give back. Visiting brings me and the girls a sense of closeness to Sam, and a chance to remember her together.”

If you’d like to join us to dedicate a ribbon to someone important to you, you can find out more about our 2026 Remember with Ribbons events here.