A tree-mendous way of marking the birth of a child has been launched by the East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity.

The Diamond Jubilee Giving Tree will give families a chance to buy and dedicate an engraved copper, silver or gold leaf to celebrate the arrival of their little one.

The tree has taken pride of place in the reception area of the Diamond Jubilee Maternity Unit at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage.

For as little as £10 a month, you can purchase a leaf to hang on the tree for a year.

At the end of the year, you can decide whether to renew – for a further donation – or receive your leaf as a keepsake.

All proceeds will help the charity buy items or fund projects which will benefit of the maternity unit.

This new fundraising initiative was officially launched earlier this month at a small staff ceremony.

It was attended by Douglas Salvesen, Divisional Chair of Women’s and Children’s Services at the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust. To help get the ball rolling, he and his senior colleagues at the trust have funded a gold leaf for a year.

Mr Salvesen said: “The Senior Team are delighted to have been able to make a donation for a gold leaf. This is not only to support the charity fund, but equally important it is to recognise and say thank you to all the amazing staff we work with.

“Without such fantastic clinical and non-clinical teams we would not be able to provide such outstanding levels of care.

“We are all really passionate about delivering services to our women and families that are of the highest possible quality and safety, and we look forward to involving everyone in developing and improving women's services going forwards.”

PHOTO: From left, midwife Maria Williams, Deputy Head of Midwifery Melissa Davis and Douglas Salvesen, Divisional Chair of Women's and Children's Services, launch the Diamond Jubilee Giving Tree.