Help The Bluebell Circle CIC to create a Magical Memorial Throne for Sofia and undertake some regeneration of the riverside tyre-swing area adjacent to The Bishop‘s Palace in Halling, Rochester, Kent.

Sofia Le Brunn-Healey was a beautiful, brave, and magical 7-year-old who was deeply loved by her parents and cherished by everyone who knew her. Tragically, Sofia passed away on 31st March 2025 after a courageous one and a half year battle with cancer.

Sofia adored living in Halling. She especially loved the river and playing with her friends at the tyre-swing — a place filled with laughter, imagination, and joy. In her memory, we would like to create a special, interactive space around the tyre swing that all children in the village can enjoy — a place full of the spirit and magic Sofia brought to the world.

When we set out on this journey in May 2025, our ambition was to raise £30k. There was no science behind this figure other than setting an ambitious target to aim for. The fundraising drive has led us to setting up The Bluebell Circle, a Community Interest Company, aimed to be the vehicle to deliver this specific project. Following our first two community meetings, we now realise that there is a huge positive momentum to undertake a wider scope of work at the tyre swing area. These have developed into bigger plans and our initial cost estimates have been revised to reflect this.

The project now forms two phases of development:

Phase 1 - To create a magical memorial throne for Sofia engraved with special animals and elements of nature adored by Sofia. This throne will be a space for storytelling, imaginative play, and quiet reflection — a way for children to be children, and for Sofia to be remembered in joy and light. This will result in a 6/7ft wooden carved throne that will be erected, fixed into a concrete base and then finished off with a softer surfacing finish to minimise the impact of children falling off the throne. Further consultations have led to the desire to also have some individual wooden carved animals at ground level for the children to sit and play on. This phase is currently underway and we hope to start carving works after Christmas 2025 with a potential install date of Easter 2026-early Summer 2026. This is currently estimated to cost £13k.

Phase 2 - To undertake some regeneration of the tyre swing area for the children to explore and play by enhancing this beloved spot. We want to create a space for the enhancement of physical and mental wellbeing. Whilst the intention is not to create another playground in Halling, the initial consultations have suggested that the area could benefit from some regeneration aimed to create a playful space for the children blended into nature as a community garden.

This work is likely to result in some play equipment that will be sympathetic to the environment that currently exists. There is the desire to create safer and easily maintained pathways intertwined with nature. Landscaping the area with some further plants and adding some new benches and bins. We are hopeful to work with the council to achieve this ambition and have an indicative completion for this of the end of 2027. This is currently estimated to cost £37k (£15k play equipment, £10k pathways, £5k planting, £7k benches and street furniture). Whilst these are initial costs, we are also hoping to apply for a number of grants and will look for support and volunteering during the construction phase to maximise the potential of the area.

What we’re able to create depends on the generosity of those who contribute. Every donation brings us one step closer to a beautiful memorial that celebrates Sofia’s life and brings happiness to her community. The message is simple, the more we can raise as a community then the more we can fulfil in the area that will benefit our children and future generations to come.

We hope the village, and all who are touched by Sofia’s story, will come together to help us build a lasting tribute to a truly special girl.