Aunty Michelle

Michelle’s family fondly remembers her as someone who found immense joy in nature, particularly in the wildlife that visited her garden. Her love for robins began in her childhood, inspired by her grandparent’s resident robin. She cherished the moments spent with her grandad, watching the robin feed, and could always spot them in her great-grandma’s garden.

This love for robins never faded, even as her work life became demanding. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Michelle began working from home full-time. One day, she spotted a robin on her fence, rekindling her childhood love for these birds. A visit to her grandparent’s grave, where a robin appeared as they chatted, deepened her connection.

Michelle, aware of her poor prognosis due to breast cancer and a recent pancreatic cancer diagnosis, found solace in these moments. Determined to attract robins to her garden, Michelle set up various bird feeders, overcoming the challenge of finding squirrel-proof ones. Soon, a robin appeared, and Michelle delighted in watching it daily.

She shared pictures with her nieces, Lottie and Ella, and the robin, along with its mate, became a regular visitor. They even raised their young in her garden, bringing joy to Michelle and her family.

Michelle’s nieces adore robins just as their Aunt Michelle did. Michelle had told them she would come back as a robin, a sentiment that brought comfort after her passing.  

Lottie and Ella continue to find joy in spotting robins along canal paths and in Michelle’s garden. The garden, a haven for various birds including hedgehogs, blackbirds, sparrows, magpies, pigeons, crows, goldfinches, a wren, a goshawk, and even a woodpecker, became a place of wonder for the girls.

They share pictures of robins they spot with their family, helping everyone cope better after Michelle’s passing. Each robin sighting feels like a magical reminder of Michelle watching over them.

Nature’s beauty, as Michelle’s legacy shows, is something we all need to take time to appreciate. Lottie and Ella, her nieces, will undoubtedly carry on Michelle’s love for robins throughout their lives.
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David Douglas

David's daughter called to tell us that they had remembered SongBird Survival with a collection at his funeral as it was a cause so close to his heart. 

She told me about his passion for songbirds and his work helping wildlife and teaching about it on their award-winning farm on the Sussex downs.  

To highlight his love of nature they included “Songbird” by Eva Cassidy in the funeral service. This was to be sung by their friend and neighbour, the soprano, Charlotte Shaw – who would practice outside David’s window and serenade him with her beautiful song.

The family expected everyone at the funeral to feel the poignancy of this melancholy song. Bad timing meant that Charlotte was unable to attend the funeral in person – so she sent a CD of her song to be played instead.  

The funeral directors somehow managed to break the CD on the day.  The organist stepped up to the mark and played a rendition of the song; unfortunately, so badly that the congregation was brought to tears with laughter. 

David’s daughter admitted to me that he would have loved this catalogue of errors and would be loving the ridiculousness of it all and it all ended up being a perfectly fitting tribute to a wonderful man with a big heart. 
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Bruce Cowe

Bruce was a long time supporter of SBS. An active member who regularly regaled friends and family about SBS and the work we do.

Sadly we received messages from his family advising he had died at home, surrounded by his family, aged 86. Having spoken with him on the phone before I had not realised his age. I do remember long chats about birds, interspersed with good natured jokes and some great stories from his life. He seemed like a wonderful man and I was very sad to hear of his passing.

The family were very keen for Bruce’s support for SBS to continue with his funeraland set up an in memory collection with us. They asked for leaflets and newsletters so they could give them out at the funeral so everyone could know about the cause. They even had special nest box shaped collection boxes made for use on the day. We set up an online donation page as well as the cash and cheques they collected at the funeral.

In total over £2,600 was raised; an amazing sum to remember a lovely man. I asked the family if they would like the funds to be used for any specific purpose and they were pleased to be able to support the education of young people in their local area as this would be the perfect way to remember Bruce; since he had always tried to educate those around him on the subject.   

These funds allowed us to attend their local area for the next two years and educate over 2,500 children. I have since met some of his lovely family in person and they have all promised to join the charity as members in Bruce’s memory.