We ask WAY volunteer Griffyn what inspired him to make 1,000 origami swans to help raise funds to support young widowed people…
“After my husband Chris died in 2021, I found connection with other widows and support from the peer support network WAY Widowed and Young to be invaluable in helping me through the practical and emotional struggles of bereavement.
Seeing the life-changing impact bereavement charities have on so many people, I wanted to find a way to give back. Walks, runs and physical challenges are a brilliant way to raise funds and awareness, but aren’t something everyone can do, and can be tough for families to take part in together.
One day, while struggling with a particularly bad flare-up of long Covid, I was stuck in bed and passing the time by making origami animals. I remembered the story of Sadako Sasaki, a Japanese schoolgirl who made over 1,000 paper cranes after the bombing of Hiroshima at the end of World War II. According to legend, an individual or group making 1,000 cranes within a year would be able to make a wish to ease pain and illness.
Inspired by Sadako, people now make cranes in memory of departed loved ones as part of the celebration of Obon Day in August – an annual Buddhist event to commemorate one’s ancestors.
I got in touch with WAY with the idea that, instead of a run, I might organise a sponsored origami event. I would make 1,000 paper swans over the course of a month. I chose to create swans in recognition of WAY’s swan logo. As well as being creatures of true beauty, swans look calm on the surface, despite paddling furiously below to stay afloat. This symbolises how it can feel to grieve the loss of a loved one.
People would have the opportunity to donate and have a swan made in memory of someone special. And people of all ages and abilities could join in, making or decorating their own swans.
The folks at WAY were up for it! So, I’d like to warmly invite you to join us for the Summer of Swans!”