Golden leaves twinkling in the light, a beautiful art installation and a new way to remember loved ones and support Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw. The local charity’s Memory Tree will represent a beacon for all the memories of those who have lost loved ones and those who have been cared for by the hospice.
The bespoke Memory Tree, designed by Claudia Ashley-Brown, features 450 leaves and will be situated in the Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw Reception. This will provide people with the opportunity to visit the hospice whenever they wish to visit the hospice or think about loved ones.
Claudia, who has designed and built several Memory Trees for hospices in the UK, said “It was a pleasure working with Karen Durden at Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw to create a wall mounted Memory Tree sculpture and the reception area wall at the hospice is in a welcoming space. The bespoke design of the Memory Tree is windswept and full of movement, with all the reflective metallic rose gold, white gold and gold coloured leaves shining brightly as people walk by. The trunk is sturdy and strong, reflecting the rootedness of the hospice in the local community.
“It still excites me when a design that has been conceived on screen is finally built, piece by piece and spreads across the wall. You can never really know how the light in a space will bring something to life, creating reflections and shadows on the wall. It was great watching people’s reactions as they walked past, seeing the finished sculpture for the first time.”
The tree features 450 truly beautiful leaves in gold, white gold and rose gold and will provide a wonderful way to remember your loved ones, with each personalised with a name or message engraved onto it.
Karen Durden, In Memory Fundraising Manager at Eden Valley Hospice, said “The wonderfully designed Memory Tree with it shining leaves will provide a fitting tribute to people’s loved ones. We hope the local community will choose their own leaf and contribute to this wonderful installation.
“Whether you purchase a leaf yourself or as a gift for someone, by remembering a loved one and placing a leaf onto the Memory Tree you will be helping Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw to care for local people with life limiting illnesses.”
Each leaf, in gold, white gold and rose gold, is £12 per month direct debit or a suggested minimum donation of £150. You can choose whichever leaf colour your like out of the three golds and each leaf will be engraved with words of your choice. At the end of the year people can choose to make a further donation to keep the leaf on the tree for another year, or it can be placed in a presentation box for you to keep at home.
Claudia concluded, “I greatly enjoy working on bespoke designs in collaboration with hospices and charities so that they feel part of the process, working together for something positive and life affirming. Being able to help Eden Valley Hospice and help people remember and celebrate their lives and loved ones in a beautiful way, especially as I lost my mother in my local hospice this year, is definitely a win-win.”
During a special event on Monday 16 September the Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw Memory Tree was unveiled by Superintendent Matt Kennerley from Cumbria Police, as the local charity welcomed the local community for the grand unveiling. Four names will be permanently included on the tree as Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw remember people who have impacted on the history of the charity.
To dedicate a leaf today please contact the Fundraising Team on 01228 810801.
