A very special new addition has been planted at Alder Hey as part of the National Trust’s Trees of Hope initiative.
The young sycamore is one of just 49 saplings grown from seeds collected from the iconic Sycamore Gap tree before it was illegally felled in 2023. Made famous in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and voted England’s Tree of the Year in 2016, the tree became a powerful symbol of hope, resilience and community following its loss.
Alder Hey was nominated to receive one of these special saplings by Craig Lundberg and his son Ben, whose connection to the tree began during an extraordinary fundraising challenge.
In 2021, Craig and Ben walked the length of Hadrian’s Wall, raising more than £3,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Charity. Covering 90 miles in six days, coast to coast along the 2,000-year-old Roman wall, would be an incredible achievement for anyone. But with Ben just nine years old at the time, and Craig blind after losing his sight in a grenade explosion while serving in Iraq with the 2nd Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, it made their challenge even more remarkable.
During their journey, they passed the original Sycamore Gap tree. Inspired by what the tree meant to them, Craig later nominated Alder Hey to receive one of the National Trust’s Trees of Hope saplings.
This July, Craig and Ben returned to Alder Hey, alongside friends Callum and Debbie, who supported them throughout their walk, to unveil the newly planted tree together.
From an incredible fundraising challenge to helping plant a lasting symbol of hope for future generations, it’s a wonderful full-circle moment.