Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice have been honoured with a Jubilee Tree from The Queen’s Green Canopy, which was planted at the hospice by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Vice Lord-Lieutenant for West Yorkshire, Helen Thomson, alongside Sue Ryder volunteers, supporters, staff, NHS partners, local dignitaries and local school children at a special ceremony.
The city of Leeds has been honoured with a special reminder of the Queen’s legacy after Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice was selected to receive a Tree from The Queen’s Green Canopy. The Rowan sapling, which formed part of the magnificent ‘Tree of Trees’ Sculpture which stood outside Buckingham Palace in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this summer, was planted during a special ceremony in the peaceful gardens of the Headingley-based Sue Ryder Hospice.
Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice is located in Headingley, Leeds and provides expert palliative care and support for people living across Leeds who are living with a life-limiting condition, as well as supporting their families. Our expert team includes doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, physiotherapists, occupational and complementary therapists, social workers and bereavement support workers. They all work seamlessly together to support people through the most difficult times of their lives.
The Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire selected Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice to be home for the tree. Ed Anderson CBE, HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire said:
“We’re really proud that Leeds has received this very special gift of a ‘Tree of Trees’ and we’re delighted to donate the tree to Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, which is such a vital local organisation providing specialist care and support to the Leeds community. It is even more poignant to plant the tree here to symbolise the connection the charity had with Her Majesty The Queen through her Royal Patronage.”
Alex Sobel, MP for Leeds North West in which Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice is based said:
“I’m really proud to see that Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice was chosen to receive a tree in memory of their Royal Patron Her Majesty The Queen by the Lord-Lieutenant. The planting of this tree marks the outstanding contribution Sue Ryder makes to our constituency, and for years to come patients, visitors, and staff will now be able to enjoy it.”
Vice Lord-Lieutenant for West Yorkshire, Helen Thomson, had the honour of planting the tree, with Sue Ryder volunteers, supporters, staff, NHS partners, local dignitaries and local school children, invited along to enjoy the momentous occasion. She said:
“I look forward to hearing how the sapling takes root here at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Leeds to serve as a permanent reminder of the Queen’s legacy and I hope the tree brings joy to hospice patients, visitors, volunteers and staff alike.”
Paul Musgrave, Service Director at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice said:
“It is a tremendous honour for our hospice to be recognised with this donation. It brings us great pride. It has been wonderful to welcome the Vice Lord-Lieutenant to meet some of our valued volunteers, supporters, staff, NHS partners and local school children to witness the planting ceremony. As the sapling grows I know it will stand tall as a reminder to all of the amazing legacy of Her Majesty The Queen and the support she gave our charity during her 43-year Royal Patronage.”
Connie, a pupil from local school Shire Oak Primary School, was proud to be among the guests at the Sue Ryder ceremony. She shared:
“It felt very exciting to be invited to such an important event. We felt very important meeting the Lord Mayor of Leeds, the Vice Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff; everyone was very nice to us! I loved seeing the special tree and would like to know what species it is.”
Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice provides expert palliative care to people living with a life-limiting condition across Leeds, supporting their loved ones and family too. Sue Ryder supports people through the most difficult times of their lives. Whether that’s a terminal illness, the loss of a loved one or a neurological condition – we’re there when it matters. For over 65 years our doctors, nurses and carers have given people the compassion and expert care they need to help them live the best life they possibly can.
In order to continue to provide and develop our services and expert care we rely predominantly on income from our charity shops, fundraising activities, and donations from members of the public.
For more information on the hospice’s services please visit www.sueryder.org
