Since the pandemic started, 646 lives have been lost in Luton. Several families could not say goodbye to their loved ones in their final moments.
The Peace Garden initiative (https://www.facebook.com/PeaceGardenIni1/) is about planting a tree for a life in Luton.
A funding target of £30k is to be raised to plant 646 trees.
Different places of worship and faith organisations in Luton are helping with fundraising. A £50 donation will help plant 1 tree for 1 life. Online donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Peacegarden
Luton North’s MP Sarah Owen also spoke about this project in the Parliament. https://www.facebook.com/SarahOwen4LutonNorth/videos/1040548019845815
The first tree planting took place on Saturday 18th December at Wigmore Park, Eaton Green Road, Luton.
Over 70 people of all ages from different racial and religious backgrounds joined in for planting over 200 trees. Several faith leaders joined too.
Sujel Miah, the mastermind behind the project said, “While planting trees, people have buried their grief. What will grow now will help sustain our common home, the planet earth for the coming generations. What a wonderful legacy to leave in memory of our loved ones.”
Mohammad Ryad Khodabocus, Head of Community Relations & Development at Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF) said, “After nearly a year of preparation and planning we finally got 230 trees into the ground including a fruit Orchard with 78 trees. The project has been to create a memorial for those who passed away with COVID-19 in Luton. Many families joined us this morning. With the initiation of this project, we aim also to cultivate a green mindset so we can leave a good legacy for the future generation.”
David Jonathan (Johny), Director, GRASSROOTS, Luton Council of Faiths and Near Neighbours Programme said, “May all those bereaved find peace and comfort and all those supporting this project be blessed abundantly! It is great that as Luton’s diverse communities, we are able to demonstrate our desire to care by sharing our grief together and working together for a better and a greener world for all.”
You can watch a short video of the tree planting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HuH_nGXasY https://www.facebook.com/100010919748211/videos/598478061456468
