The Forest of Memories and National Trust Surrey landscape portfolio celebrate the lives of loved ones lost to the pandemic by tying hundreds of yellow ribbons to trees at the Runnymede Memorial.
The Forest of Memories
(www.TheForestOfMemories.com) is a Not for Profit organisation which aims to plant a tree for every life lost during the pandemic. This initiative was started by a group of ordinary individuals who needed a way of remembering those lost to the pandemic as well as celebrating their lives.
“We needed a way of understanding who these individuals were. Through the media we learnt about the numbers, and our organisation aims to make sure that each person who passed away due to the virus, and because of the virus, is not just another number” Salmaan Nasser, Chief Vision Officer.
The Forest of Memories has teamed up with the likes of the National Trust, the Forestry Commission, Forest Research and the Woodland Trust to bring about the first augmented reality forest for remembrance, the first in the world. The Forest will be designed with the help of leading charities such as MIND to create a space which is not only for remembrance but also a space of natural beauty, mental wellbeing and a place where bio-diversity can flourish.
An Early Day Motion, tabled by Dr. Lisa Cameron MP, has been signed by no less than 18 MPs including Layla Moran, Diane Abbot, and Hilary Benn. A key aspect of the Forest is to be all-inclusive regardless of background, status in society, or wealth. Dedicating a Memory Tree in honour of a loved one is totally free; as well as a free tree, on their Memory Tree platform (www.Memory-Trees.com), all who sign up get a free online Memorial, in which they reveal to the world who their loved ones were. A Memory Tree is both a physical tree and a digital profile, in which users can collect thoughts, prayers, and comments about their loved ones, effectively creating a historical record. This is the first time technology and nature has been combined in this way, and when the Forest is planted, a walk through the Forest of Memories will enable visitors to learn about the good those individuals did.
At a time when the bereaved have not been able to attend funerals, send flowers or cards, nor visit the graves of those most dear to them; hundreds are flocking to the site to dedicate trees and are finding solace in the fact that their loved ones will live on in what is their now familiar mantra ‘A life for a Life’
“As we come out of this pandemic, it’s really important that we pause for a moment and reflect. All societies have mechanisms for dealing with grief, and we simply haven’t been able to utilise the normal methods. That’s why projects such as The Forest of Memories are really important for the Nation’s mental wellbeing and help us recover” Runnymede Cllr Iftikhar Chaudhri, the Good Will Ambassador for the Forest of Memories an ex-Mayor.
Together with Marie Curie, The Forest of Memories is joining in on the National Day of Reflection on the 23rd March, which marks the anniversary of the UK lockdown. Talks and programmes are scheduled by the Good Grief Festival, and people are being asked to create colourful posters for putting up in windows.
The Forest of Memories will be tying yellow ribbons to trees at the Runnymede Memorial as a symbol of hope and recovery. If you have lost someone or know of anyone who has, you can create a free Memory Tree and their name will be included. The Memorial will be put up on the 17th March and will last until 20th April. Local residents are invited to go and pay their respects and should they wish, to tie their own ribbons. To get involved please contact
James Young
james@ourheroes.org