Warwick Davis speaks out on loss in first public appearance since wife's death

Warwick Davis has attended his first public event since the passing of his wife, Samantha, six weeks ago as he spoke about loss. The beloved actor, famed for his roles in the Harry Potter and Star Wars franchises, was present at a moving "reflection evening" hosted by St Barnabas Hospice last Thursday.

At the age of 54, Warwick Davis honoured his role as a patron of the hospice by supporting their new Feathers from Above appeal. The campaign, which features an installation of 1,000 handcrafted feathers, offers a chance for people to remember and honour their lost loved ones.

St Barnabas Hospice, known for its dedicated palliative and end-of-life care for adults with life-limiting illnesses, encourages the purchase of these feathers to help fund their essential services. These services are crucial for over 12,000 patients and their families annually.

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The event took place at the tranquil Aubourn Hall and Gardens in Lincolnshire and was a family occasion for Warwick, who was joined by his children Annabelle Davis, 27, and Harrison Davis, 21. Heartwarming images of the family have been shared on Instagram, reports the Mirror.

Warwick Davis has spoken out about the deep impact of losing someone close, as reported by the Mirror: "The loss of a loved one is, sadly, something many of us will endure in our lifetime." He continued, highlighting a special initiative by St Barnabas: "Feathers have long been considered spiritual signs that our deceased loved ones are near, and to honour that, St Barnabas has created 'Feathers from Above'. By reserving one, you are not only helping to fund the essential hospice care St Barnabas provides but also acknowledging and creating a lasting legacy for your loved one."

Annabelle shared her experience on Instagram, posting a picture with Warwick and Harrison, and captioned it: "It was an honour to watch the #FeathersFromAbove take flight for @stbarnabashospice." She further expressed her feelings, saying: "A beautiful way to remember those we've lost whilst supporting the incredible work they do."

In her post, Annabelle, who is also an actor, ended with a call to action, urging her followers to dedicate feathers too. This family event comes shortly after the announcement of Samantha's death at 53. Warwick paid his respects, calling her his "most trusted confidant" and "an ardent supporter of everything" he did professionally.

He fondly remembered her personality, adding: "She was a unique character, always seeing the sunny side of life she had a wicked sense of humour and always laughed at my bad jokes."

A fundraiser has been set up in memory for the charity Little People UK, co-founded by Warwick and Samantha, which offers support to individuals with dwarfism. Over £23,000 has been donated through JustGiving.