Tree planting event honours long-serving staff | News

On Friday 3 May Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust commemorated the remarkable commitment and service of long-standing NHS staff members, past and present, with a special tree planting event to honour their 50 years of dedicated service.

The event was inspired by a heartfelt promise made to Liz Taylor, Community Staff Nurse, by the former Chairman of the Trust, Jules Preston, that a tree would be planted in her honour upon Liz completing 50 years of service. Tragically, Liz passed away unexpectedly last year, but her legacy was honoured with the fulfilment of this promise by the current Chairman, Keith Ramsay, who had presented Liz with a long-service award shortly before her passing.

In tribute to the significant milestone of 50 years of service, five trees, funded by MY Hospitals Charity, were planted on the Pinderfields Hospital grounds. Each tree represents a decade of employment within the NHS and symbolises resilience, growth and endurance of the long-serving members.

The carefully selected tree species hold special significance:

• Whitebeam - symbolising protection and longevity
• Rowan - representing renewal and resilience
• Bird cherry - symbolic of growth, nourishment and herbalism
• Field maple – signifying stability and support
• Silver birch - representing purity and growth

 

A total of 18 current and former staff members achieved the extraordinary milestone of 50 years’ service.

Those present at the event were:

• Stewart Bedford
• Anne Citron
• Gillian DeRavairere
• Elaine Halloran
• Margaret Jewson
• Annette Parkin-Coates
• Linda Wakefield

 

Keith Ramsay, Chair, who presented the event, said: “We gathered to honour 18 remarkable individuals who dedicated over 50 years of their lives to the NHS. This level of commitment is truly exceptional and worthy of note. It was wonderful to be able to celebrate that achievement alongside long-serving staff’s loved ones and colleagues.

“Although Liz Taylor is no longer with us, her contributions remain deeply respected and valued within our Trust. Last year, just before her untimely passing, I had the privilege of presenting Liz with her well-deserved long-service award. It gave me immense pride to honour that promise made to her by the planting of trees in dedication to all our longest-serving members of staff.

“The loyalty and devotion shown by each individual exemplify the very essence of the Trust. Throughout the years, as our Trust has evolved and adapted to change, it is because of our long-serving members of staff that we continue to enhance the lives of our patients.

“I extend my warmest congratulations and gratitude to them all and thank them for their unwavering service and dedication.”

Emma Dickens, Head of Charity at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, said: “MY Hospitals Charity was delighted to be able to support this lovely idea. Celebrating staff who have given an incredible 50 years of service to patients in a way that improves our hospital grounds, and has environmental benefits is all very much in keeping with our ethos as a charity.”

Photo caption:

From left: Phillip Marshall (Director of Workforce and Organisational Development), family member, Elaine Halloran, Stewart Bedford, Anne Citron, Gillian DeRavairere, Margaret Jewson, Linda Wakefield, Keith Ramsay (Chair), family member, Annette Parkin-Coates