Charity gives families a creative outlet to pay tribute to loved ones

Prospect Hospice has launched an innovative new project which allows families to donate a special tribute in memory of their loved ones.

This month Prospect Hospice unveiled their latest funding initiative - the Memory Tree. Located in the charity's Remembrance Garden, Wroughton, Prospect Hospice are offering families the opportunity to hang a uniquely designed leaf, with their loved one's name inscribed on it, as a memorial tribute.

The hospice has grown this idea from their original paving stone scheme where people could inscribe tributes on the pavement in the garden - the Bluebell Walk. With the pavement now full the charity's fundraising team have developed a new innovative idea to still allow families to create a lasting memory - with the leaf placed on the hospice's Memory Tree. 

Linda Heap, Prospect Hospice's Administration Manager, said: “Because the path has started to fill up, we had to look at how we can still have something on site so that people can still create that lasting tribute and be able to support the work of the hospice.

"It's one way that people can create a lasting memory, and something that people can come and visit all year round.

"Each leaf is uniquely designed – we had blacksmith come and look at the various types of trees and leaves in the area and with that he created unique designs for the leaf plaques.

"This is open to anybody, – anybody that wants to create a memorial piece - who may have not had the opportunity to do so." 

The iron tree can hold up to 700 leaves, which have been made in either copper (a one off donation of £180, or *£15 per month) or stainless steel (a one off donation of £120, or *£10 per month).

Linda added: "To purchase a leaf you can either pay a one-off payment, or monthly direct debit over a year. After a year they decide if they want to keep donating with the leaf hung on the tree or they can take it home.

“It’s that balance of generating support for the work we do, which we need, but equally supporting people on that part of the journey after losing someone – that family support is still there afterwards.

“Hopefully someone will see this as a great benefit to them.”

For further information visit www.prospect-hospice.net