A knitted elephant is at the heart of every memory box created by the dedicated palliative care team at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) in Edinburgh.
The elephants, handcrafted by local knitters, symbolise the saying “elephants never forget” and are a part of bespoke memory boxes offered to families who have lost a child.
Funded by Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC), the palliative care service has been inundated with requests for memory boxes and elephants, so much so that Service Co-ordinator Nicola Robertson has taken this on as one of her primary roles.
Nicola Robertson, Paediatric Palliative Care Service Co-Ordinator at the RHCYP said: “The elephants represent a powerful connection between the family and their child. Families can request as many elephants as they wish, while one always stays with the child as a comforting companion when they pass away.
“The stories of the elephants really stay with you. I remember a school class that requested an elephant to remember their classmate, while another family brings their elephant with them on every holiday. I’ve also heard of young siblings who may outgrow other teddies but still keep their elephant on their bed. These elephants really mean the world to families.”
Local knitter Irene Woolf, 68, from Dunbar, has crafted almost 400 elephants for the palliative care team and has been an integral part of creating the memory boxes. She is a mother of two and grandmother to four grandchildren.
Irene Woolf said: “I began knitting animals when my husband was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, as a way to keep myself occupied during a difficult time. I then came across a Facebook post about memory boxes and knitted elephants, and I immediately wanted to contribute.
“The symbolism of elephants—known for their ability to never forget—struck a deep chord with me. My mother lost an 18-month-old child, a loss she never fully recovered from, and I wanted to help other families facing similar grief. Over the past four years, I’ve knitted hundreds of elephants, and I have no intention of stopping.”
In addition to the knitted elephants, the memory boxes include other carefully considered items such as forget-me-not seeds, an “always in my heart” keyring that breaks into two pieces with the heart staying with the child, and a white book for photos and letters. Each item is carefully chosen to provide comfort and create lasting memories.
Pippa Johnston, Deputy CEO at ECHC, said: “Memory making supports the whole family, helping them to create precious keepsakes to treasure their child forever, in their hearts and in their home. For many, it is a vital part of their bereavement journey.
“The palliative care team does a wonderful job of helping families whose child has died. It is only thanks to donations to our charity, and incredible knitters like Irene, that we can support the team with the memory boxes. We are enormously grateful to everyone who contributes to the cause.”
