LOROS Hospice have honoured the memory of Leicester City’s Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha by inviting football legend and LOROS patron Alan Birchenall to place a bespoke leaf on its memory tree.
The gold leaf, which bears Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s name, was hung on the hand crafted metal tree, where scores of families have also remembered their loved ones, in a special ceremony. Michelle Weldon, who works at LOROS Hospice and is also a lifelong Leicester City fan, had the idea of honouring the chairman with a leaf on LOROS’ tree.
“Vichai gave every Leicester supporter their dream and made the impossible possible. Even those who didn’t follow football became fans.
“He united the community of Leicester, and as a local Hospice, I knew we would want to recognise that. It’s important that Leicester City know we are forever part of their family and stood united in grief with them.
The LOROS Memory Tree in the courtyard garden is a special place for patients’ families. Michelle added, “Having a leaf for Vichai means that patients who may not be able to get to the stadium now have a place to reflect and share their own memories.”
John Knight said, “Leicester City and LOROS go back a long way. In 2008-9 our LOROS logo was on their away kit, and our relationship has grown stronger with every season.
“We’re very pleased we could make Michelle’s plan happen and delighted that the Birch, who is a huge supporter for us, has come along to receive the leaf on behalf of the club.”