Croydon’s health and care leaders join forces for tree planting to mark Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and National Day of Reflection
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust hosted the latest in a series of tree planting events today (23 March 2022) as part of the Queens Garden Canopy initiative.
The event, hosted in conjunction with the Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Sherwan Chowdhury, was attended by senior representatives from across Croydon’s health, care and voluntary sector as well as young people from Elmwood Infant School and Harris Invictus Academy Croydon.
The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) was created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and invites individuals, community groups and organisations from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”.
The saplings have taken pride of place outside Croydon University Hospital, enhancing the environment by planting a number of cherry trees during the official planting season.
Mayor of Croydon Councillor Sherwan Chowdhury said:
“I am delighted to see these beautiful cherry trees planted at Croydon University Hospital in celebration of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. We have chosen to plant them on the National Day of Reflection, when together we remember those who have lost their lives t o COVID-19 , and their friends and family.
“It is also an opportunity for us to reflect on the incredible sacrifices our communities have made during the pandemic, and how Croydon came together to protect, care for and support each other in the most challenging of times. I hope that these beautiful trees serve as a symbol of hope for our future, for many years to come.”
A special interactive map has been created to track the Jubilee tree plantings on the QGC website so that everyone can share and inspire others, as well as creating a green canopy of projects to cover the country.
Speaking at the event, Matthew Kershaw, Chief Executive and Place-Based Leader for Health at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust said:
“ Her Majesty The Queen’s celebration of the Platinum Jubilee,is an unprecedented milestone and cause for celebration. The Queen’s Green Canopy offers a lasting legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation, which will benefit future generations.
“Here in Croydon, it also offers us an exciting opportunity to celebrate the Jubilee but also to advance our plans to create a more environmentally friendly, sustainable health and care system and further our plans to support a healthier, happier future for the people of Croydon.
“Last year, Her Majesty marked the contribution of NHS staff, past and present, for their efforts for mor e than seven decades, noting the courage, compassion and dedication of all throughout the pandemic.
“Today we have the opportunity to recognise that contribution once again and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as we also mark the National Day of Reflection, a day dedicated to supporting the millions of people affected by the pandemic and remembering the family, friends, neighbours and colleagues we've lost.”