'We'll always remember': Baby loss tree replaced 4 years after vandalism

A baby loss memorial tree has been reopened for grieving families in Glasgow, four years after it was vandalised.

The special ornate park bench and tree sculpture installed by SiMBA near Provan Hall in Easterhouse was removed in 2020, after being severely damaged.

It is understood a group of youths set fire to the benches and ripped off the copper leaves which featured engravings of the names of babies who had passed away.

However, following campaigning from parents, a local business took on the project to help the sculpture be reinstated.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Work begins to replace baby loss memorial tree after vandalism

All Nu Landscapes completed the work free of charge, after discovering how important the site was to bereaved parents.

Director Colin Brown said: "It's great to hand something back. It's nice to be able to say that it's done and it's useable.

"It's been a journey - I haven't been affected by baby loss myself but I've learned a lot and it's great to feel part of this.

"I've spoken to so many parents and the charity itself, so it's been an amazing experience to give this to people who can use this area to reflect and remember their babies.

"We did this completely free because you cannot put a cost on this."

'We'll always remember her'

Bereaved parents told Clyde 1 News seeing the project return "means the world to them".

Catherine Ann McCann lost her baby Victoria at 16 weeks old and can now see her daughter's name on the tree for the first time.

She said: "I saw on the news that the original tree had been vandalised and to be quite honest, when I watched it, I was in tears and I wanted to help.

"The charity called out for helpers to try and reinstall the tree and I've been with the working group ever since.

"It's emotional, but I'm proud to see her name up there. I'm proud of my wee girl, proud of the charity and the working group and I'm happy we've got our tree back.

"This is the first time we've been able to come here and reflect and have a nice quiet space and that's going to mean so much to so many families.

"Victoria was my gorgeous little girl. Unfortunately, she passed away at 16 weeks old, but to have this to remember her and come here is lovely.

"We'll always remember her but now everyone can come as well."

'It was like someone sticking a knife through your heart'

Susan Begley Roy is a local mother who has miscarried six times in her life - but had a leaf dedicated to her son Sean.

She said discovering her son's memorial leaf had been damaged was heartbreaking: "It was like someone sticking a knife through your heart. It was like losing him all over again and it was horrendous.

"When he died, I didn't get a birth or death certificate, I didn't get a burial, I got zilch.

"Seeing his name up there means the world to me. It's almost like my burial and I'm seeing him with all his wee pals.

"He'd be a big grown man now, but I always will remember him as a baby and it means the world to me to see the tree replaced."

Honouring baby loss

Various local suppliers also contributed materials to ensure the project was completed at a low cost, including MKM Airdrie building supplies, Global Stone, Ultrascape and MKM toolhire Glasgow.

Vanessa Rhazali from SiMBA said the tree is all about honouring baby loss, and that it is for also parents who sadly lost their baby years ago and were perhaps provided with little or no recognition of their baby’s existence.

The charity will officially reopen the tree in the coming weeks.

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