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Welsh Ambulance Gifted a Platinum Jubilee Tree

THE Welsh Ambulance Service has been gifted a special tree in honour of the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan gifted the Trust a tree from Her Majesty the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) 'Tree of Trees' in recognition of all the valuable and tireless work the Welsh Ambulance Service has undertaken.

The QGC is a UK-wide tree planting initiative created to mark the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and to celebrate Her Majesty, who planted over 1,500 trees all over the world throughout her 70-year reign.

Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, the QGC ‘Tree of Trees’ sculpture was a spectacular 21 metres featuring 350 British native trees that was erected outside Buckingham Palace to put the importance of trees at the heart of this historic milestone to celebrate Her Majesty, who planted over 1,500 trees all over the world throughout her 70-year reign.

His Majesty the King recently confirmed that the QGC initiative had been extended to the end of March 2023 to give people the opportunity to plant trees in memoriam to honour Her Majesty.

And yesterday, 26 January, the Trust was gifted an Alnus Glutinosa in a pot embossed with Her Majesty’s cypher by the Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, Mrs Morfudd Meredith.

She said: "The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust was nominated in appreciation of the commitment of both full time employees and volunteers who are skilled, resilient and greatly valued members of society, delivering crucial services.

"We are all especially grateful for their selflessness, expertise and professionalism during the challenging and unprecedented times of the pandemic."

The common alder was planted during the gifting ceremony and may grow to reach a height of around 28m and live to approximately 60 years.

Jason Killens, Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “It is an honour to be one of two organisations being gifted a tree from the ‘Tree of Trees’ by the Lord Lieutenant.

“Mrs Meredith spoke of the tireless work of our people and wanted to recognise their efforts having been privy to the work of some of our colleagues at our 2022 Long Service Awards.

“As the tree grows and flourishes in its new surroundings, I hope it serves as a reminder to all staff and volunteers of the Trust of their valued contributions and as an acknowledgment of their endeavours past and present.”

Editor’s Notes

For more information, please call Communications Specialist Emily Baker on 07811752110 or email Emily.Baker1@wales.nhs.uk.