Charlotte Dickson’s memorial tree

We were made aware last week one of the girls memorial trees had been vandalised but weren’t sure to what extent.

After visiting the trees yesterday, it was my beautiful friend, Charlotte Dickson, whose tree had been completely snapped from the bottom. We managed to find the tree which had been dumped in a bush nearby.

Not only has the tree been ruined but the plaque has been damaged and there was rubbish left all around it.

In February 2020, my beautiful friend Charlotte Dickson lost her battle to cancer at just 19 years old. In memory of Charlotte we decided to plant a blossom tree so we had a place we could go to remember her.

My sister and her friends also decided to do the same for their friend, Charlotte Simpson who also sadly lost her fight to cancer in May 2020 at just 18 years old.

Both Charlottes knew each other and were known around the Whiteley area as they both grew up there with family so we thought it was only right to plant them on Meadowside.

We planted two (of the same) blossom trees for them both and put a plaque down in front of each tree to remember our beautiful friends.

This was planted by a close family friend of ours in February 2021 who also sadly passed away in April 2021 which makes the trees even more sentimental to us all.

Each year we have watched the trees grow a little bigger and just over 3 years later we have finally started to see the trees blossom and be beautiful for our dearly missed friends.

Our aim for the trees were for them to thrive together and eventually one day be beautiful, strong standing blossom trees, where we could go to remember our friends and share special memories that they have missed.

Sadly, the trees will now be completely different and they won’t have the opportunity to grow alongside eachother at the same time.

Although the council have told us this could be replanted in Autumn time, Charlottes tree was particularly sentimental as her ashes had been scattered here when the tree was planted.

I often go to the tree and place little items in memory of Charlotte as this is the only memorial space we have left for her.

I cannot do this anymore and I feel so angry someone could do this to such a sacred place for so many people.

I was tempted to remove all the gifts I had laid for Charlotte as I felt so hurt and angry but I was quickly reminded of the importance and meaning this tree has to so many people and to not let whoever was sick enough to do something like this, take away the meaning behind these special memorials.

I have had to let Charlotte’s mum know, Amanda, which was such a kick in the teeth for me as she now lives in Bristol but had chosen to leave some of her babies ashes behind on the tree as she knew she was loved by so many down this way.

If anyone knows or saw anything regarding this vandalism please get in contact with me.

My only wish is for the trees to be respected and for items around the memorial space to be left untouched which we shouldn’t even have to ask.

With the support of the community, I hope we can purchase a new blossom tree for £89.99 so both memorial trees can continue to grow together ❤️‍

I have also been recommend purchasing tree guards so this evil act does not happen again, both trees will be protected and can thrive! The tree guards are £159.79 each.

Charlotte’s family, friends and I would be hugely grateful for any money contributed towards this memorial.

Thank you, Mercedes.