St Gemma’s Hospice, Moortown, was chosen as just one of 12 charities across West Yorkshire to receive one of 350 British native trees which formed a spectacular sculpture to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
The 69-foot tall “Tree of Trees” – which stood outside Buckingham Palace in June last year – was designed to celebrate the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, which has encouraged people across the UK to plant trees for the Queen’s jubilee year.
Following the Jubilee celebrations, the ‘tree’ – constructed of 350 smaller trees – was dismantled and the trees returned to storage before being donated to community groups across the country.
Ed Anderson, Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire and a patron of the Hospice – the King’s representative in the county who nominated where the trees should be planted – visited St Gemma’s to plant the tree, which is visible from the in-patient unit bedrooms.
The planting ceremony was attended by many of the nurses from the hospice. Ed Anderson: “Through my close involvement with the charity I’ve seen the amazing work St Gemma’s Hospice does in providing a vital resource to patients and their families. When I was asked for recommendations for where the trees should go, I had absolutely no hesitation including St Gemma’s.”
Kerry Jackson, St Gemma’s Hospice Chief Executive, said: “The tree is a lovely addition to our garden and a respectful memory to Her Majesty The Queen for patients, their families, and visitors for many years to come.”
St Gemma’s – the largest hospice in Yorkshire, and one of the largest in the UK – is a Leeds-based charity providing expert care and support for local people with life-limiting and terminal illnesses. The Hospice offers care to patients and their carers through its in-patient unit, community team, and via out-patients regardless of people’s age, gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or diagnosis. All care provided is completely free of charge.
Photographs provided by St Gemma’s Hospice. Cover image shows CEO Kerry Jackson with Lord Lieutenant Ed Anderson. Second photograph shows Lianne Grant with Ed Anderson.
