A tree has been planted at the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham, in memory of all the colleagues we have lost during the pandemic.

The Japanese cherry tree was donated by The Sakura Project as a way to honour the staff who lost their lives during the pandemic, and will be kept and looked after by the Botanical Gardens.

Japanese cherry trees symbolise patience, respect and inner peace, and is a very fitting way to honour and remember the colleagues we have lost.

Speaking on the day, Margaret Garbett, Director of Nursing, said: “With the pandemic, UHB has been the hardest hit Trust in the country, having reported the highest number of patients, and sadly deaths, some of those unfortunately being our own staff. It is so important that we remember that behind each number is a name, a loved one, friend, or colleague.

“Our loss at UHB has been felt across the whole Trust, and it is so important that we take time to remember our staff who have died, as they leave behind families, friends and colleagues who miss them greatly and will never forget how they touched their lives.”

You can find the tree near the bottom of the Pleasure Gardens, near the bird collection in the Lawn Aviary. Should you wish to visit it, we invite you to take a moment to remember the colleagues this tree was planted in honour of.

The Trust will continue to plant tree across its own four hospital sites in honour of the patients and staff we have treated for COVID-19.