Sweet tribute to honour loved one
● Healing garden at hospital inspires range of fundraising chocolate wrappers in memory of late partner
When chocolate-maker Bobbie Pryce-Fitchen lost her life partner two years ago‚ she wanted to find a way to honour her legacy.
With the help of budding young Cape Town artists who were inspired by a visit to a market garden at the hospital where Pat Pryce-Fitchen died‚ she has done just that.
Confectionery made by the company which Fitchen and Pryce ran together – as part of a relationship that lasted for 35 years – can now be ordered with wrappers designed in memory of Pat.
Corporate customers at Chocolate Time can specify the wrappers when they order supplies‚ and money raised will go to the Spring Foundation at Lentegeur Hospital‚ in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town.
Bobbie’s first port of call was Lentegeur psychiatrist John Parker‚ who directs the foundation.
He said it was established to try to change the way mental health is regarded in society.
One of its flagship program- mes‚ the garden‚ was created to reconnect patients to the earth while giving them practical skills that could be used once they re-enter the community.
Creating chocolates inspired by the garden‚ for the benefit of the foundation‚ was something Bobbie felt connected directly to Pat’s passion as a chef and her concern with food security.
Then Bobbie turned to Cindie Ah Ling‚ who heads the Peter Clarke Art Centre in Claremont‚ to bring the vision to life.
In turn‚ Ah Ling challenged 53 young designers to design wrappers.
In the group were students from grade 11 and further education and training classes at the centre‚ as well as grade 11 and 12 pupils from Cedar High School in Mitchells Plain.
“For them to fully understand this project‚ the learners had to see and experience it [the hospital]‚” Ah Ling said.
“I think they were very surprised to go to this very green garden which was almost like an oasis.
“Everybody was so happy there – it was an absolute contrast [to the patient wards].”
Five designs were selected for the chocolates‚ and Bobbie hopes to add five more to the collection and keep the initiative going for years.
Bobbie said: “I knew that these two organisations [the art centre and the Spring Foundation] would be the best way to make an impact.
“If Pat were alive she would have supported this idea fully.” –
‘For them to fully understand this project‚ the learners had to experience [the hospital]’ Cindie Ah Ling
PETER CLARKE ART CENTRE HEAD