Naomi House & Jacksplace plant trees for Queen Elizabeth
On Monday 17 October, Naomi House & Jacksplace planted trees in memory of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy. The event took place in Jacksplace garden.
Joshua Houchen, a young adult who uses the services at Jacksplace, planted the first tree, alongside Faith Ramsey, Chair of Naomi House & Jacksplace, and Nigel Atkinson Esq, Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire. The Lord Lieutenant is the personal representative of HM King Charles lll in Hampshire.
The Queen’s Green Canopy is a tree planting initiative created to mark the Platinum Jubilee. His Majesty the King has extended the initiative in memoriam to honour the late Queen.
The trees have been planted at the hospice’s gardens near the Memory Garden, so that families who use and visit the hospices can enjoy them. The trees (Willow, Crab Apple and Cherry Blossom) have been generously sponsored by Royal Warrant Holders, Bendicks.
Today has been great, I was so happy to be asked to be involved. I think the trees will mean a lot to families here, especially bereaved families, with them being positioned next to the memory garden. I’ve come to Naomi House & Jacksplace for a long time – since before Jacksplace was opened. Jacksplace means everything to me. It’s a chance for me to come and have a break, and for my parents to be able to take a break too. The care here is some of the best.
Joining the tree planting ceremony was two Deputy Lord Lieutenants, Prof Khalid Aziz (former Chair and Lifetime President of NH&JP) and Lady Portal, Mrs Christine Atkinson, the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire’s wife, and representatives from Naomi House & Jacksplace, Bendicks and Bendicks’ parent company, Storck.
We are delighted to participate in the Queen’s Green Canopy, creating a living legacy and serving as a lasting tribute to Her Majesty the Queen. Naomi House & Jacksplace make an amazing difference every day to support seriously ill children. We have been associated with them over many years and we can think of no better place to plant the trees than next to their memory garden.
Being involved in the Queen’s Green Canopy is a real honour and pleasure for everyone at Naomi House & Jacksplace and a wonderful way to remember Queen Elizabeth II, and her many years of selfless and dedicated service. The trees, planted close to the garden path and next to our memory garden in the grounds of Jacksplace hospice, will provide an accessible tribute to Her Majesty that will live in our memory and be a reminder for many years to come. We are proud that King Charles III opened Naomi House in 1998 as the then Prince of Wales, and so our involvement in the Queen’s Green Canopy continues our association with Monarchs past, present and into the future, as the trees grow.
We were also delighted to welcome the crew from ITV Meridian to the event, who filmed the ceremony and an interview with our Chair and Josh!
