This is a fund raising page to fund a bench in memory of Sam Tooley to be placed in the Harris Garden,
which is situated on the Reading University Campus. The idea formed after a visit to the garden this year
which was the first time I had been to the campus since Sam's wake. I had a peaceful walk around
the garden and my thoughts quickly turned to Sam. The idea of a bench was reinforced when I learned from
Sam's close friend and housemate Dan that Sam had visited the garden. Dan sent me this photograph of Sam
enjoying the garden with friends.
I ran the idea past Martin and Tina, who were happy with the idea. I'm sure Martin won't mind me quoting
his initial email - 'it would be a focus of attention for all those who knew & loved him & might even be a
catalyst for drawing his friends and family to a specific location on anniversaries of, for example,
his birthday, his death...'
Here is a little history and information on the Harris Garden from Wikipedia page -
The Harris Garden is a botanical garden on the Whiteknights Campus of the University of Reading,
about 2 miles from the centre of the English town of Reading. It was established
in 1972 when the Department of Botany moved from the University's London Road site in central
Reading to the new Whiteknights campus and expanded into its current form in 1988.
It is named after Professor Tom Harris, a
distinguished palaeobotanist and keen gardener. Friends of the Harris Garden is an organisation
set up with the aim of supporting the Garden.
The garden is about 12 acres (4.9 ha) in size. Within this area it encompasses various borders,
several ponds and a stream, a formal garden, a heather garden, a wildflower meadow, coppiced woodland,
and a walled garden.
With Sam's degree and chosen career and passion it seemed like the perfect location.
£2000 is the set price from the University.
Thanks you.