A GRIEVING father has helped to launch a new wood to raise money for the hospice that cared for his dying wife.

Mother-of-one Olga Kay was just 40 when she died of cervical cancer in Willow Burn Hospice, on Maiden Law Bank, Lanchester, in March.

Her husband Malcolm, 48, of Barnhill, Stanley, planted a tree in her memory at the new Willow Burn Wood, at Allensford, near Consett.

The Forestry Commission has pledged £22,116 to the hospice’s scheme to create a mixed woodland on the ten acre site donated by the late Sir Tom Cowie, motor magnate and former chairman of Sunderland AFC.

More than 10,000 trees have been planted in recent weeks to provide a place where people can reflect and remember. Individuals and companies are being encouraged to sponsor trees with the target of raising more than£500,000 towards the rebuilding of the hospice, which opened in 1989 to provide palliative and end of life care to the Derwentside and Durham areas.

Mr Kay said: “Willow Burn cared so well for my wife. Olga comes from a large family and they were able to spend her final days with her thanks to the hospice.

“If Olga had been in a hospital instead of at Willow Burn Hospice we wouldn’t have been able to spend as much time with her, and I know Olga appreciated having her family around her.

“It is a wonderful place and I now look upon the staff as friends.

“But it will be fantastic when they have a brand new building for staff, patients and families to stay, instead of having to make do with a disused hospital ward.

“It is our local hospice and we are lucky to have it here. You never know when you might need it or when your loved one may need it.”

Hospice Chief Executive Helen Mills said: “This is the first woodland to be created by a charity in support of its work and it is based near to the communities that we serve.

“We are providing unique opportunities for companies and individuals to sponsor elements of the woodland and all monies raised will help Willow Burn to continue to treasure lives.”

The wood will be planted in a pattern resembling the hospice logo. Further details are available at www.willowburnwood.co.uk