Sydenham resident, Belinda Harries, has spent the £100 prize money she won in a Love Lewisham competition to further improve the environment and benefit her local community.
‘Bee’, as she is known to her friends, walks her dog, Bertie, in Sydenham Wells Park every day. She used the prize money to plant a silver birch tree in the park.
Belinda said: “I’ve lived in Sydenham for the past 17 years. The park is beautiful and we are very lucky to have it.
"For a long time I have really wanted to give something back and when I won the prize money I thought this was an excellent opportunity.
"Birch trees are very special to me because I love their shape and colour and because of the variety of wildlife they support. They also remind me of my parents. ‘The Birches’ was the name of their house.”
The tree planting ceremony was held on Monday 12 March – the day after Belinda’s 52nd birthday. She invited the Mayor of Lewisham and friends to the event at which she read out a poem she had written. The poem included the lines:
“I am pleased to be able to pretty the park,
And here, right here, to leave my mark.
What a lovely way to spend the day,
I shan’t forget this year’s birthday.”
Speaking at the event, the Mayor of Lewisham, Steve Bullock, said: “This donation is a wonderful gesture and shows an extremely generous public spirit.
"Belinda has not only fulfilled her pledge to recycle more and replace all her light bulbs with energy-saving bulbs, she has now made a valuable contribution to the environment that the whole community can enjoy.”
Belinda Harries won the £100 prize money after taking part in Lewisham’s Pledge Tree scheme – part of the Love Lewisham campaign. The location of the tree was chosen with the advice of Glendale, the park managers.