Charity plants sapling as symbol 'hope and growth'

A West Yorkshire charity has planted one of the Sycamore Gap saplings in its garden after 49 were gifted to organisations by the National Trust.

The Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People is one of two recipients of a Tree of Hope in Leeds and has planted the tree as part of its 160-year celebrations.

Trustee Christine Roche said she hoped the tree would be a "symbol of growth and hope" and add to the sense of home at the charity's centre.

"We had a beautiful cherry tree in the garden which was stunning, but unfortunately we lost that last year, and now we've got a fabulous replacement with the Tree of Hope," she said.

"We feel it symbolises the growth for our organisation, though sadly the money will not grow on it."

The charity started in 1866 and supports people who are deaf and blind with access to communication information, Braille services, and interpretation services for hospitals and workplaces.

"From birth to death, we're the interpreters when children are born and also at the end of life where we attend funerals and support them with signing," explained Roche.

The Trees of Hope are saplings from Sycamore Gap, a tree on Hadrian's Wall that was illegally felled in 2023.

An interpreter from Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People applied to the National Trust for a sapling for its garden, which is maintained by volunteers.

"We just feel really honoured because it was such a special event that people saw us as being somewhere that would actually be worthwhile to put one.

"We have such a beautiful garden it's ideal for our centre and it will hopefully grow with us into the future and grow stronger with us," said Roche.

The charity held a planting ceremony on Saturday attended by Emmerdale actor Karen Blick and charity president Martin Dodgson.

"We're hoping that people come along and see it and maybe they can show they're part of the journey going forward and get themselves a little selfie with a tree," said Roche.

The other Leeds sapling is at the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease based at Seacroft Hospital.

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