A girl from Welwyn Garden City, who was born by IVF, has helped plant a tree to mark National Fertility Awareness Week and honour Queen Elizabeth II.
Elle Elizabeth O’Malley was among five little Elizabeth’s to plant seven lime trees at Bourn Hall in Cambridge to mark the week, and create Elizabeth’s Wood as part of the Queen's Green Canopy initiative.
The trees represent each decade of the Queen’s reign, and are dedicated to a milestone in IVF, one of the great scientific and medical achievements made during her time on the throne.
Elle was born as a result of NHS-funded IVF treatment at Bourn Hall, a moment her father Matt described “the best feeling in the world”.
“Relief, complete love, breath-taking,” he said, remembering the day.
“It was the best feeling in the world. It felt like those years of emotional and physical turmoil had all been worth it. I wouldn’t change anything for the world, because we’ve got an angel.”
Bourn Hall was built in 1602 on the site of a Norman castle, before becoming the world’s first IVF clinic in 1980 and being described by the IVF pioneers Patrick Steptoe, Sir Robert Edwards and Jean Purdy as a “place of sanctuary” for those struggling with infertility.
Dr Mike Macnamee joined the clinic 37 years ago, and worked alongside Professor Edwards to develop the first hormone drugs for IVF and establish protocols to improve success rates.
He was moved to see the little Elizabeth’s plant trees at Bourn Hall, saying: “Bob Edwards was a contemporary of Her Majesty and was also passionate about trees.
“His ambition was always to create families and so it is deeply moving that many of the little Elizabeths here today have been named after much loved mothers and grandmothers.”
The Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Julie Spence, was also in attendance, and she added: “I am delighted to see all these young people planting trees for the future.
“This group of seven lime trees being planted here today not only continues the tradition of planting lime in this Repton parkland, it also symbolises the past and ongoing fertility work here at Bourn Hall and forms part of the Green Canopy to commemorate the Queen’s Jubilee.”
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