PEACE GARDEN INITIATIVE TO BE LAUNCHED WITH TREE PLANTING CEREMONY

A community initiative to honour the memory of the lives lost during the Covid-19 pandemic will be launched this month with a community tree planting event.

The Peace Garden Initiative will have a dedicated space in Wigmore Park that aims to help people through the bereavement process.

As part of this, families who have lost members through the pandemic will have the opportunity to plant a tree at a community planting event on Saturday 18 December starting at 10am at Wigmore Park.

“The Peace Garden Initiative is about bringing communities together in our shared sense of grief and hope for the future,” said Project Co-ordinator Sujel Miah.

“The hardest thing in life is losing a loved one. Over the course of the pandemic, there are so many that were not able to be close to their loved ones during their final moments.

“We have lost 635 Lutonians since the pandemic started in 2020. This initiative will be an opportunity for people to cherish the memory of those no longer with us.”

You do not have needed to have lost a loved one to get involved. A suggested donation of £50 will go towards planting a tree.

The initiative is being supported by Luton Council of Faiths, Luton Council of Mosques, Luton Borough Council, Churches Together in Luton, Luton Rising, Sunni Council of Mosques, Grassroots, Discover Islam Luton, Raise Up Foundation, Community Interest Luton, iCare and Friends of Wigmore.

Councillor Hazel Simmons MBE, Leader of Luton Council, added: “The peace garden is another wonderful and thoughtful community-led concept to remember those we have tragically lost to Covid and will ensure there is a lasting legacy for all those families who are grieving the loss of a loved one to this terrible disease. I am so proud of all those involved.”

Ryad Khodabocus, of Luton Council of Faiths, said: “Planting a tree for those we love is a beautiful act of leaving a legacy for those who left us. We would encourage you to get involved in this wonderful initiative.”

 ‘PLANT A TREE FOR EVERY LIFE’

Planting a tree is a beautiful act of kindness in the loving memory of others. Your contribution will help facilitate the planting of trees in Luton for every life lost due to the Covid-19.

You can find out more here or watch this video to learn more:

If you wish to be part of planting a tree for a loved one, you can do so by completing a form.

As we grow the project it will also coincide with the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.

You can find out more by following @PeaceGardenIni1 on Facebook and Twitter or by email on: Peacegardeninitiative@gmail.com