A fundraiser has been launched for the restoration of a baby loss memorial after the “absolutely gutting” damage caused.
The fundraiser was set up after Serenity Garden, in Highfields Park, was vandalised over the past week.
Forever Stars’ operations and fundraising manager Jo Sharp blamed travellers for damaging the gardens, something which they denied.
The subsequent money-raising campaign has been organised by Leanne Louch, whose tribute tree to her twin boys, Thomas and Jack, was flattened last week.
The 35-year-old train conductor was responsible for helping fundraise for the garden’s initial creation.
“The charity has always been a massive support bubble for my family and myself,” she said.
“It (the tree) was a massive help for us. Because the twins were born so early they counted as a miscarriage, so they couldn’t have a grave. But they had their own tree at Serenity Garden.
“When we saw the damage that had been done to all the trees, to find the trees ran over, was absolutely gutting.”
The memorial garden, which opened on July 2 this year, aims to help bereaved parents of stillborn babies and early baby loss by creating a place of "focus, relaxation and reflection for families".
“I decided to start a fundraiser to try and raise more money not just to fix the twins’ tree but to fix all of the damage they have done,” Leanne continued.
“It’s not just physical damage they’ve done, it's emotional to a lot of people.
“What makes it worse is my grandma, she’s 82 - every Friday she goes and takes flowers to the tree. Last week she was on holiday so she didn’t see the damage until yesterday, and that upset us a lot more.”
Despite only being set up yesterday, more than £800 has already been donated to the JustGiving page.
“I set my benchmark at £500 but obviously we’ve smashed that in less than 24 hours. £1,500 would be my next benchmark,” said Leanne.
