Memorial fundraiser hits £800 in 24 hours
BID TO RESTORE WRECKED GARDEN
A BEREAVED parent has started up an online fundraising page to help repair a wrecked memorial garden for stillborn children.
The campaign for the Serenity Garden, in Highfields Park, has been organised by Leanne Louch, whose tribute tree to her twin boys, Thomas and Jack, was flattened last week.
Travellers who set up camp on a university field next to the garden denied causing the damage. They have since moved on after being served with an eviction notice by the university.
Ms Louch, a 35-year-old train conductor, helped to raise the initial funds to create the garden, built by child bereavement charity Forever Stars.
“The charity has always been a massive support bubble for my family and myself,” she said. “It (the tree) was a massive help for us. Because the twins were born so early they counted as a miscarriage, so they couldn’t have a grave. But they had their own tree at Serenity Garden.
“When we saw the damage that had been done to all the trees, to find the trees run over, was absolutely gutting.”
The Serenity Garden, which opened on July 2, aims to help bereaved parents of stillborn babies and early baby loss by creating a place of “focus, relaxation and reflection for families”.
“I decided to start a fundraiser to try and raise more money not just to fix the twins’ tree but to fix all of the damage they have done,” Leanne continued.
“It’s not just physical damage they’ve done, it’s emotional to a lot of people.
“What makes it worse is my grandma, she’s 82 - every Friday she goes and takes flowers to the tree.
“Last week she was on holiday so she didn’t see the damage until yesterday, and that upset us a lot more.”
Despite only being set up yesterday, more than £800 had already been donated to the Justgiving page.
“I set my benchmark at £500 but obviously we’ve smashed that in less than 24 hours. £1,500 would be my next benchmark,” said Leanne.
Tyre marks were visible in the Serenity Garden where the trees had been uprooted, and acorn sculptures had also been damaged. Nottinghamshire Police confirmed it was investigating an incident of criminal damage.
To donate to the online fundraiser, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/serenitygardenrepair