By Tony O’Riley-
Politicians and NHS staff came together to plant a Covid-19 memorial tree outside a major Romford hospital.
A cherry tree was planted on the green outside Queen’s Hospital maternity ward on January 24 to honour Nhs staff and social care providers.
Planted by Darren Mitchell, Dan Byrne and John Rollings from City Suburban, the ceremony was part of Havering Council’s Covid commemoration project, which will see plantings across the borough and a woodland of over 4,000 trees brought to Hornchurch Country Park.
Representatives of the council, including Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT) attended the ceremony alongside Cllr Christine Vickery, Cllr Damian White and BHRUT chief executive Matthew Trainer. It was mainly to commemorate those who had lost their lives to the pandemic , and those who have been seriously ill and hospitalized as a result of covid-19
BHRUT chaplin Tony Minter blessed the tree and Havering’s deputy mayor Cllr Christine Vickery gave a speech on the impact of the pandemic
Cllr Vicker spoke of her own first hand experience: “I also know first-hand of the support and dedication of NHS workers here at Queen’s Hospital having been hospitalised with Covid-19 before Christmas. It’s thanks to the dedication and care of all the staff – from cleaners, caterers, receptionists, doctors and nurses – that I am on my way to a full recovery.
“So, it’s a special honour and an expression of my gratitude to thank NHS staff and frontline health workers as we all reflect on the recent challenging times.”
BHRUT chief executive Matthew Trainer is pleased the location of Queen’s Hospital was chosen for the planting of the first tree. – Credit: Chantelle Billson
Mr Trainer said while the tree provides “quiet reflective space”, it also recognizes the “sacrifices made by NHS staff”.
He added: “The resilience and dedication of our staff throughout the pandemic has been remarkable and we’re grateful that Havering Council has chosen to plant a commemorative tree at Queen’s Hospital.”
The mayor of Havering, Cllr John Mylod, was unable to attend the event as he was at home recovering from Covid-19 after receiving critical care at the Queen’s Hospital just over one month ago.