A 'Tree of Hope' for Epilepsy MARKING 20 YEARS OF THE DAISY GARLAND We are extremely proud to announce that The Daisy Garland has been supporting children with drug-resistant epilepsy and their families for 20 years. To mark this milestone and celebrate our achievements we planted a sycamore tree at Longmarsh on the banks of the river Dart (a few strides away from our Totnes office) on Friday 28 February 2025. In the glorious morning sunshine, Daisy's parents Sara and David Garland, along with Karen, Nikki and Jean (Team Daisy) were ready with their spades to settle our special sycamore - a tree which is said to connect heaven and earth and symbolises knowledge and guidance - into its forever home. We will be sure to keep you updated on the tree's progress as the years go by. Meanwhile, some pics to share of this very special event. David Garland (Daisy's dad and Chair of Trustees) left, with Keith Rennells from Parklife right, who assisted greatly with the planting. Thank you Keith we now feel like seasoned sycamore planters! David and Sara Garland, spades poised and ready to rock! Digging a hole to accommodate the roots of our Daisy tree as Keith, Jean and Flossie also captured in this pic watch on... So proud to be planting our sycamore tree in such a gorgeous setting David mastering the art of using a special ground-breaking tool. Despite lots of rain over the past week the local clay soil was still very hard and stony. Power to your elbow David! You did an amazing job Mindful digging: one breath at a time, one spade at a time... this little hole is filled with love 💜💜 It's in! Firming the soil around the roots of our very special Daisy Sycamore Jean and Nikki, our 2 Family Support Assistants, keeping Flossie calm David and Keith figuring out where the two wooden supports need to go before adding the protective mesh cage Sara twirling hessian ribbon between the tree and the two wooden supports, giving our tree all the help needed to grow big and strong, with adequate room between the two supports for the trunk to thicken and expand. David, hammer in hand, secures the hessian with a nail and a few big taps. Nikki in the background keeping everything crossed we escape bruised thumbs! Keith gave us some sheep fleece to prevent weeds from growing around the base of the tree. This was secured with 5 little wooden pegs. It felt a bit like putting our tree to bed, leaving it safe and snug in this gorgeous riverside setting Lots to fit into the mesh cage, being very careful not to knock off any of the tender little branch buds. We can't wait to see our first leaf (we'll be sure to share pics of this proud moment) A delicate operation, far trickier than it looks. All hands to the pump! Team Daisy, all proud and happy to be part of this amazing morning L to R: Karen our Office Manager, Sara Daisy's mum, Founder and CEO, David Daisy's dad and Chair of Trustees, Jean and Nikki our 2 Family Support Assistants A moment of reflection for Daisy and all children who suffer from drug-resistant epilepsy 💜💜 Keith from Parklife, positioning the memorial plaque where it was examined from all angles making sure it was standing straight and proud A loving touch from Daisy's dad, David Our forever 'Tree of Hope', which we share with you all 'Keep Calm and Grow On' little sycamore sapling 20 extraordinary years of The Daisy Garland charity. Thank you for being part of our 'journey of hope... for children with epilepsy' Our work would not be possible without you. Please, please, keep supporting The Daisy Garland Thank you. 2025 Purple Day (Worldwide Epilepsy Awareness Day, March 26th) To mark this very important day on our epilepsy calendar Sara and Flossie took a short detour en-route to the office and tied a sparkly purple ribbon to our 'Tree of Hope'. I hope as many of you as possible will leave home today wearing/bearing something purple in support of epilepsy. Throughout the day, along with our fabulous families and supporters, Sara and the team we will be pulling out all stops to shine a purple spotlight on this much-misunderstood condition. Epilepsy. Please feel free to jump on board and join us! Tying the knot Our 'Tree of Hope' for Epilepsy Just look at those tender buds The miracle of nature 14 April 2025 The very first leaf emerges... April 17th - a spectacular show of leaves against the backdrop of a gorgeous blue sky Flossie the office pooch loves nothing more than a photo-shoot! 30 July 2025 Delighted to report our recently planted Daisy 'Tree of Hope' is doing incredibly well, despite the hot weather. A stone's throw from the office, we've a close eye on its every leaf, keeping it well watered and completely adored. September 9th Our lovely 'Tree of Hope', holding on tight to its leaves despite the blustery weather. September 30th 30th September and our Daisy Garland 'Tree of Hope' is still hanging onto it's green leaves! A little brown and crispy around the edges, but they're definitely not budging! 💜 November 2nd What a difference a month makes! Our 'Tree of Hope' leaves have finally fluttered to the ground 🍁 🍂 🍁 but look what's been hiding under those brown, crispy leaves. Tender green buds, which will unfurl in spring. February 2026 Daisy's dad, David carrying out a spot of maintenance before planting a ray of sunshine (Tete a Tete narsissus) under our 'Tree of Hope'. Can't wait to see those little yellow flowers in bloom! 11 April 2026 Beautiful birthday buds blooming on our 'Tree of Hope' for Epilepsy. Pictures taken on what would have been Daisy's 28th birthday. MORE UPDATES COMING SOON 🌳 Manage Cookie Preferences