Memorial Garden
We are working on a major new initiative to mark our 10th anniversary year. The creation of a national memorial garden for organ and tissue donors at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire.
The National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) consists of 150 acres of the National Forest and is the responsibility of the British Legion. Planting has only taken place since 1997 so the woodland is still forming but is still the home to much wildlife. There are over one hundred memorials within the Arboretum - all wholly unique, some featuring sculptures, others are gardens.
Most are armed services and veterans associations but there are also civilian memorials - Dumblane, Aberfan, 9/11, as well as organisations such as the Police, Ambulance service and Trefoil Guild. One of the memorials is the Shot at Dawn memorial featured recently on television. Currently under construction is the new Armed Forces Memorial which will list the names of all who have died since 1945.
The site also holds a shop, small museum, restaurant, function room and chapel.
The national memorial would be a place that could be visited by donors, recipients or members of the public. It would provide a suitable place for donors to be remembered by all. The memorial can be visited at any time by donor families and recipients and the Arboretum could become a venue for the Annual Service and other events
The National Memorial Arboretum is an amazing venue and easy to reach being just off the M6 Toll road.
This is an ambitious project and before we start the hunt for funding we need to know what you think.
Email or write to us with your thoughts.
