Back in November 2015, a beautiful piece of artwork in the form of a Memory Tree was installed in the reception area of our Selly Park hospice site.
Tuesday 4 November marked its 10th anniversary.
Tracey Dowling, one of our in-memory fundraising supporters, has kindly shared her story about why she has a leaf on the Memory Tree for her dad:
“Dad, James O’Neill, had just turned 80 when he became very ill very quickly. He deteriorated over the course of just a few months. It was devastating for everyone.
“Dad spent his last few months at Birmingham Hospice, Selly Park. As a family we are so grateful to all the staff who cared for my dad and the support they gave to us.
“The Memory Tree holds a special place in my heart. Seeing my dad’s leaf displayed on the tree helped me to process my grief a little. I think the tree is powerful not only in providing a space for shared sorrow, but also for reflection and celebration of life.
“It’s a beautiful way to honour a loved one and at the same time support Birmingham Hospice.”
Lucy Watkins, Income Generation Director reflects:
“I remember when our beautiful Memory Tree was first installed at our Selly Park hospice ten years ago, and the wonderful feedback we received from families at the time. It quickly became such a meaningful and lasting way for people to remember and celebrate the lives of their loved ones. Even now, a decade on, we continue to receive new dedications and hear heartfelt stories from families who find comfort in seeing their leaf on the tree. It remains a striking and much-loved feature of our hospice, offering a simple but powerful way to honour those we’ve cared for.”
Each leaf is individually inscribed with a loved one’s name or message and they are displayed on the tree for 12 months with the option to renew for another year, or it can be taken home.
One Bronze leaf (£60) could pay for a bereavement support session to help families through the journey of grief.
There has been over 350 dedications on the trees, raising over £62,500 in the last ten years. Thank you very much for supporting Birmingham Hospice. You help us make every moment matter for local people living with a terminal diagnosis.
If you want to honour someone special on one of our Memory Trees at Selly Park or Erdington, please visit Memory Trees – Birmingham Hospice
