A memorial tree at the heart of St Clare Hospice gives the opportunity for local families to remember their loved ones in a very special way, whilst helping the charity to continue providing vital support to the community.

St Clare Hospice’s ‘Memory Tree’ is an olive tree, symbolising peace and harmony, and is made of a hand-carved trunk and hundreds of metal leaves with personal dedications to lost loved ones. Three types of leaf are available for dedications, bronze, silver and gold coloured, each carrying an inscription to someone special and helping to fund care across the Hospice.

Jamie Hooper, St Clare Hospice’s Fundraising Development Manager, explains the impact that the Memory Tree has on the families the charity cares for: “The leaves on our Memory Tree represent mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, uncles, cousins, best friends – people’s children, relatives and loved ones. The Tree offers a special space for people to honour and remember family members in a really powerful and symbolic way.”

Jamie continued: “Dedicating a leaf on the Memory Tree in honour of a loved one also directly contributes to others being able to access the compassionate care of St Clare – at a time when they need it most. The Memory Tree has the potential to raise more than £108,000 in donations every single year for St Clare. This amount in vital funding could help to pay for just over six months of care from our Patient and Family Support Team, who provide life-changing practical, psychological, emotional and spiritual support to people and their families.”

The Memory Tree is kindly sponsored by local building firm, Oakmont Construction.

For more information about the Memory Tree and how you can dedicate a leaf to your loved one, please contact Diane Bailey on 01279 773750 or email [email protected]

You can also order a Memory Tree leaf on the St Clare website at: www.stclarehospice.org.uk/memory-tree

If you think you may require bereavement care, or would like to discuss this further, please feel free to contact our Bereavement Team on 01279 773742.