A memorial tree for bereaved parents has been officially unveiled in the Crichton gardens in Dumfries.
The Tree of Tranquillity is the result of nearly two years hard work by the D&G Baby Loss Awareness Tree group fundraising committee to give parents a place to go and remember their babies.
Husband and wife team Lauren and Chris Brydson, who have lost six children, wanted to “create a positive out of something negative” when the group was set up.
The committee, which includes Jill Cameron, Karen Little, Becky Little, Lindsay Temlett, Nicole Clark, Rachael Brown, Louise Copeland and Claire Burgess, embarked on a mission in April 2019, to raise the money for the tree and worked with baby loss charity SiMBA to instal it.
On Sunday the group was able to officially unveil the tree in the Crichton gardens.
Lauren said: “I’m overjoyed we have such a beautiful, tranquil and positive place to go in Dumfries where all of our babies can be together and give families a place to reflect.”
SiMBA’s Trees of Tranquillity are hand crafted copper sculptures which will become covered in engraved leaves with each one honouring a baby who has died at any stage of pregnancy or after birth. It is not just for newly bereaved parents but also for those who lost their baby years ago and received little or no recognition of their baby’s existence.
There are currently 35 already on the tree with more having been requested.
Members of the D&G committee started a number of charity efforts including sponsored bike rides, a race night and bake sales last year.
Leaves for the Dumfries Tree of Tranquillity can be requested through www.simbacharity.org.uk.
For more on the local group see D&G Baby Loss Awareness page on Facebook.
