Date 13 May 2011
Gill Crowson, Community Fundraising Manager at the Peace Hospice in Watford writes:
Memorial Woodlands are peaceful places dedicated to the memory of loved ones and provide a focal point for families, carers and friends of hospice patients. If space allows we would like to offer this to anyone within south west Herts who has suffered a recent bereavement. The Hospice Bereavement Team is quite unique in that they provide care and counselling to anyone who has suffered bereavement and not just our patients.
Ideally we would like to find a field, approximately one acre in size within south west Hertfordshire, with good access and transport links. Families will be invited to dedicate a tree for a donation and will be invited to
come along on planting day to help with the planting. No one owns a specific tree; this is because there is no guarantee all trees will survive which could cause intolerable pain for the family.
When the young trees are established and starting to leaf we will hold a celebration where everyone involved will be invited to come along with a picnic, followed by a dedication ceremony. There will also be an opportunity, later in the year, to have another planting day with spring bulbs such as crocuses, daffodils and bluebells.
Families will be encouraged to continue using the woodland outside of the planting and dedication days as a special place for reflection and remembrance.
Iain Rennie Hospice at Home, based in Tring, already have three woodlands and are about to plant another.
Do you have a suitable piece of land you might be willing to donate or perhaps you know of someone who may be able to help? If you think you might be able to help this worthy cause, please contact Gill at The Peace Hospice in Watford on 01923 335370.