"From small seeds grow mighty trees": Parents plant memorial tree for baby son
The couple hope to create a lasting legacy for Joel by supporting a local nature reserve
A Kettering couple who lost their baby son in heartbreaking circumstances have created a lasting memorial at Twywell Hills and Dales Nature reserve and are now hoping to support the site's future through a fundraising marathon challenge.
Susie Whalley, 32, and her husband Matt, 32, planted a memorial oak tree in honour of their son creating a special place where they can remember him.
Joel Alexander Whalley was born sleeping on 18th October 2025 after Susie suffered a catastrophic splenic artery aneurysm rupture during pregnancy. The 32-year-old was left fighting for her own life and required emergency treatment and multiple blood transfusions.
The couple say the tree has become a place of comfort surrounded by nature, and they hope their fundraising efforts will help other families and children benefit from the reserve for years to come.
Matt is set to run the Chester Marathon on 11th October, just days after what would have been Joel's first birthday, with all proceeds going towards community projects at Twywell Hills and Dales.
A place to remember
When the family began making decisions about Joel's funeral and memorial, they knew they wanted somewhere peaceful and personal where they could continue to feel connected to him.
Twywell Hills and Dales, a place they regularly visit as a family, immediately felt like the right choice.
"We spend a lot of time there as a family and were comforted by the thought of having somewhere so beautiful to be able to visit and think about our baby boy," said Susie.
After contacting Groundwork Northamptonshire, which manages the site, the family worked with staff to establish what became the first memorial tree in the community area.
Together with relatives, they planted a sessile oak tree in Joel's memory, with the help of their four-year-old son, Arthur.
"It was a really beautiful moment," Susie said. "We all planted the tree together and Arthur got involved as well."
The family chose the oak because of its symbolism of strength, resilience and growth.
"For us, it represents that although Joel isn't here with us, something connected to him can continue to grow," she said.
A living legacy
The memorial has become an important place for the family to reflect and remember Joel outside of a traditional cemetery setting.
"Going there doesn't feel overwhelming," Susie said. "You can sit with the tree, think about Joel and feel close to him in a peaceful place."
She is currently pregnant with her daughter and hopes the memorial will also help her and Arthur maintain a connection with their brother as they grow up.
"It's important for our children to have somewhere they can visit and feel connected to Joel''
"It means a lot to know people walk past, see his name and know he was here."
The family praised the support they received from staff at Twywell Hills and Dales, who helped establish the memorial and continue to care for the area.
Running in Joel's memory
The experience also inspired Matt's decision to take on the Chester Marathon.
Running became an important outlet for him following Joel's death, helping him cope with grief and process the loss of his son.
Now he hopes to turn that challenge into something positive for the wider community.
Money raised through the marathon will go directly towards projects at Twywell Hills and Dales, including initiatives aimed at encouraging children and families to engage with nature.
Ideas being explored include outdoor learning opportunities, nature-based activities and improvements that will benefit future visitors to the site.
"We wanted to try and bring some goodness out of something so painful for us," Susie said.
"Hopefully one day we'll be able to look at something that's been created there and know that Joel's memory is at the heart of it."
For the Whalley family, the hope is that Joel's legacy will continue to grow alongside the oak tree planted in his name.
"We want him to remain part of our lives," Susie said. "The tree gives us somewhere to be with him, and now hopefully the fundraising can help create something positive for other families too."
To find out more about Matt's fundraiser visit: www.justgiving.com