Vandals snap memorial tree at Astley Village hospice

3:34pm Wednesday 2nd July 2008

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Vandals have destroyed a tree planted in memory of a dead child at a Chorley children’s hospice.

Staff at Derian House Children’s Hospice, Astley Village, found the cherry tree snapped in half this morning.

The established tree had been planted by the family of a dead child who received care at the hospice.

And, according to Trevor Briggs, director of the hospice, it would have taken a lot of force to snap.

“This is wanton vandalism of a tree that means something to someone,” added Mr Briggs.

“And they know what they are doing because they are coming in the grounds of a hospice to do it.

“This tree had been planted a couple of years ago and certainly wasn’t a sapling, it would have needed some force to snap it.

“But this is not the first time this has happened and I doubt it will be the last. It is the third time in the last few years.

“But we’ve informed the relevant authorities about this latest incident.”

The cherry tree was one of a dozen or so planted along the driveway of the Chancery Road hospice.

Although none have memorial plaques, each tree has been planted by the families of dead children, as a lasting reminder of their loved one.