THE Tree of Tranquility for bereaved parents will be placed in Gourock Park thanks to a team effort from local mum Karyn Jenkins, Inverclyde Council and the charity SiMBA.

Sara Fitzsimmons from the charity and Gourock councillor Lynne Quinn visited the site this week as donations are pledged towards the project.

It will see a life-sized sculpture, made from copper, installed with each leaf on the tree representing a baby who has died.

Councillor Lynn Quinn praised Karyn for her work to establish the poignant memorial.

She said: “Karyn has done so well to persevere and get the location agreed.

"I think it is really important for people to have somewhere to go and this park is the ideal setting, it is so tranquil and beautiful.

“It’s not just about a tree for Karyn but for the whole community and I think the fundraiser is great.

"The community will get behind it and demonstrate that it is needed.

“It is such a positive thing - there is something nice about the symbol of a tree and the leaves being added.

"It will show people that they are not alone and it will be a place the whole family can go, so I am happy to do what I can to support this.”

Sara Fitzsimmons from SiMBA says the park is the perfect location for the tree.

She said: “Gourock Park is a really nice location. It is secure, you can hear the birds and it is surrounded by greenery.

“It is a well kept park and will be lovely at any time of the year.

"People who have lost a baby will be able to take time out to remember them in a quiet and peaceful setting.

“It means so much that the voice a bereaved parent has been listened to with the understanding of how much this tree means to other bereaved families.

"We can’t thank Karyn enough for her vision of bringing a Tree of Tranquillity to Inverclyde and Gourock Park.

“We are excited to be working closely with the team at Inverclyde Council who are supporting the project and we look forward to bringing this vision together with the support from other fundraisers and donors.”

The Tree of Tranquillity will not just be for the newly bereaved but also parents who lost their baby at a time when there was little or no recognition of their baby’s existence.

Councillor Michael McCormick said: “Losing a baby is a terrible tragedy.

"Thankfully the days when parents never even got to see or hold a newborn baby who had died are in the past.

"Creating a tangible memory of a life, however brief, is an important part of the healing process and the council is glad to do all it can to make this project a reality.”

Pictured from left, areCouncillor Lynne Quinn, Karyn Jenkins and SiMBA representative Sara Fitzsimmons