A memorial bench celebrating the life of a little girl who bravely fought, but lost her battle against a rare cancer, has been officially unveiled in Bebra Gardens in Knaresborough.
Sadie Rose Clifford, who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in 2010, captured the hearts of thousands with her fight. Despite kind hearted members of the public raising more than £400,000 for treatment in America, Sadie sadly passed away in June 2012 aged just two years old.
The specially designed hand-carved redwood bench, which features a butterflies and heats motif and overlooks the children’s paddling pool, was officially unveiled by Cllr Jim Clark, the Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate, and Cllr Carole Reid, the Deputy Mayor of Knaresborough on Friday 20th June at a special ceremony.
Sadie’s parents, Katie and Darren Clifford and her brother Oscar, together with friends and family, local dignitaries, and members of the Friends of Bebra Gardens, were also in attendance.
Councillor Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, Transport and External Affairs said: “We are pleased that we were able to help create a fitting memorial to Sadie in Bebra Gardens. The people of Knaresborough and Harrogate took her to their hearts and this magnificent bench, located in beautiful gardens, is a fitting way to remember her. The Friends of Bebra Gardens will help landscape the area surrounding the bench with flowering plants in Sadie’s favourite colours, and I look forward to seeing it then.”
Katie and Darren Clifford said: We would like to say a huge thank you again for each and every person who helped make this become a reality. We will be forever grateful for everyone’s generosity. We’d like to invite anyone who hasn’t already been down to Bebra Gardens to see Sadie’s Bench to please pop by and take advantage of the beautiful location. It’s perfect.
