What is Life for a Life?

Who Are We?

Life for a Life's mission involves the planting of trees and installing of memorial benches to commemorate loved ones. Over time, these trees will develop into beautiful organised forests to benefit the environment that everyone can enjoy.

The process has been specifically designed to benefit individuals and families who are grieving over the loss of a loved one, regardless of their age, status or religious beliefs.

Negative feelings of pain and loss can be replaced by more uplifting feelings arising from the establishment of a new life in the form of a tree, hence the phrase "Life for a Life". At the same time, a positive contribution is made to the environment and community from which everyone can benefit.

Where Does The Money Go?

Life for a Life Memorial Forests is a not for profit, non-denominational and non-political registered charity (Charity No. 1096422) which was created to raise funds to benfit others. As such, regular donations are made to hospices, hospitals and health care related organisations throughout the nation.

The continued success will further enable a wider distribution of funds to aid many other charities and good causes. Since 1999 we have donated substantial amounts of money back into the community through direct donations and improvements to the local and national environments.

Since our conception we have donated over £1.6million to worthwhile causes.

Charitable Aims & Objectives

To relieve mental, physical, and spiritual distressDedicating trees to loved ones can provide a great deal of comfort for those dealing with loss. Visiting the developing woodland and being amongst nature can improve a bereaved person's mental well being.
To conserve, protect and improve the environmentCreating woodland and forest areas by planting different species of trees tailored to land and spaces available to promote maximum growth and diversity whilst benefiting wildlife and any existing plant life.
To provide grants/equipment to relieve sickness and suffering Providing aid to other charities, hospitals and hospices provided that in so doing the trust shall not relieve any local authority, relevant health service trust or other body of any statutory obligations.

Environmental Benefits

From the beginning, Life for a Life has been very conscious of the need to protect and nurture the environment, having stringent policies in place to ensure this. The Charity is registered with "Entrust" as an Environmental Body and is also a full member of the national "Tree Council". Each memorial tree is container grown in the UK and subject to full health checks. These trees are indigenous to the UK, being broad leaf species to absorb the maximum amounts of carbon dioxide. The Life for a Life Biodiversity Policy takes into account good Forestry Management by recognising the need for coppicing, felling and thinning as well as clearing of Rhododendron and Laurel. Over the years the Charity has been involved in the refurbishment of many derelict pieces of land which has encouraged pollinating insects to flourish and has increased the presence of both airborne and ground nesting species of birds within the forests.

 

Friends of the Forest

Friends of the Forest is a way for schools, community groups or local volunteers to participate in the creation of new or additional habitats within our memorial forests. By becoming a Friend of the Forest, participants are encouraged to learn what the effects the woodland and forest creation has on our planet. We encourage active engagement in hedge planting, orchard establishment and wildflower seed sowing. Our hope is that the local community will get involved whether they have purchased a memorial tree or not and in turn become more environmentally friendly and pro-active. It has never been Life for a Life's intention to create closed forests exclusively for our clients and patrons but rather create areas which can mature into valued public amenities and used by all.

 

Our Partners

We are grateful for the highly valued partnerships we have established over the years with various organisations. The growth and success of the charity to date can be attributed to our partners as our work so far would not have been possible without them.