About Us

Will O'Burn

On 14 February, new recruit Will O'Burn joined Team Willow Burn following a number of misdemeanours in the hospice gardens.

Willow Burn Hospice is renowned for it's beautiful gardens but over the years there has been a mystery surrounding our disappearing roses. We have had our suspicions for some time but early in 2025 we found the culprit, when he came to our door with a completed volunteer application form to say sorry for eating our special flowers.

Since joining the team we have been keeping him busy with lots of jobs and filling his empty tummy with scones from the Willows Café.

Keep visiting the Willow Burn website, Facebook page and Will O'Burn's very own group to see what he is up to and how you can help him out.

"My name is Will O'Burn and my family and I live in the Willow Burn Gardens. We just love to eat roses, all of the roses we can find but we've heard it makes the Willow Burn gardeners and visitors sad. So to say sorry for our snacking, I have signed up as the newest recruit to the Volunteering Team. Will O'Burn... at your service."

About Will O'Burn
Will O'Burn has joined the team at Willow Burn to break down barriers for children and young people when visiting the hospice with a loved one, joining us as a member of the community or when accessing bereavement counselling. Not only will he help to fundraise and raise awareness but he will bring smiles and positivity to everyone who meets him.

When the team at Willow Burn decided to introduce a mascot to the brand, friend of the hospice Helen Heath was our first choice of illustrator

About Helen Heath
With a BA (Honours) in Graphic Design from Nottingham Trent University, Helen developed a strong eye for colour, layout, handlettering and visual hierarchy—skills that naturally flow into her passion for illustration. She has collaborated with top publishers like Bloomsbury, Orchard Books, Egmont, and Scholastic. Beyond commissions, Helen teaches design and illustration, lead workshops, and co-runs a greetings brand established in 2013.

Helen has created Will O'Burn in memory of her lovely mum, Eileen Turner. You can read Helen and Eileen's story here: read

Illustrated by Helen - https://www.illustratedbyhelen.co.uk/


Video

Meet Will with Willow Burn
Will O'Burn will be attending many of the public Willow Burn events. Keep an eye on our events pages on our website or Facebook.

Friends of Will O'Burn
If you're on Facebook, join Will's Group for information about his latest events, merchandise and volunteering opportunities.

Welcome Will to your event, school or business
Will is very excited to meet as many of you as possible. If you would like him to visit your event, community group, school or business, we would love to put it in Will's diary for you. He can help you to find out more about the hospice, fundraise or just add some fun to one your events. Please get in touch with Rachel or Ali to find out more: rquince@willowburnhospice.org.uk / aenglish@willowburnhospice.org.uk / 01207 529 224

Download: Will O'Burn Leaflet

Photo

Gallery

Will O'Burn

Will O'Burn Logo

Will O'Burn with illustrator Helen Heath and her family

Will O'Burn Reading

Will O'Burn Taking a Break

Will O'Burn having fun in the garden

Will O'Burn making the beds

Your Stories


"The care is outstanding, the staff are wonderful. Nothing is a bother. I count myself blessed to be able to end my days in such a wonderful place."

"I cannot imagine a more caring & positive day - Lovely atmosphere, full of surprises!"

"Our family can never thank Willow Burn and the team enough for the amazing care and compassion our Mam received. We all take comfort in knowing Mam could not of been in a better place to spend her last days. For that we will be eternally grateful."

MCcrory Family

“How do I thank you all? Where do I begin?  The care, love and support you showed my beautiful sister and also to our whole family was incredible. You are a superb team and you should be very proud of every shift you work.  There aren’t enough words or big enough words to continue...so in the words of my sister...if the only prayer you say in your entire life is ‘thank you’ that’ll be enough.  Much love to you all ”

Thank you!

Anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you. Thank you.

Support From

Our Partners