Sarah’s Wood

The History of Sarah’s Wood

In 2017, the Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) Trust celebrated 20 years of supporting people with MSA.

In May 1997, Sarah Matheson, who had been diagnosed with MSA in 1993, and a group of close friends met to discuss the possibility of establishing a support group for individuals diagnosed with MSA. This meeting laid the foundation for what would become the MSA Trust.

On June 13, 2017, we inaugurated Sarah’s Wood as part of our activities to commemorate two decades of support and research by the Trust. Hugh Matheson, brother of our founder Sarah Matheson, envisioned Sarah’s Wood as a symbol of the hope and support the MSA community can provide for one another. Located in Thoresby Estate, Nottinghamshire, in the heart of Sherwood Forest, Sarah’s Wood stands as a lasting emblem of hope for all those affected by MSA. The opening of the wood was a testament to this vision. Click on ‘attend a Tree Planting event’ below to find out more information.

On July 21, 2018, we hosted a summer event at Sarah’s Wood, graciously invited by our Trustee, Hugh Matheson. During this event, we unveiled a new sign to help visitors locate Sarah’s Wood and learn more about MSA. The afternoon featured tea and cake at Hugh Matheson’s residence, and discussions about the future of the Wood.

In 2019, we launched a project reflecting the journey of everyone battling MSA: the Path to a Cure. This path, leading directly to Sarah’s tree, is constructed of engraved bricks bearing the names of members of our MSA community. We hope the Path symbolizes our collective effort in researching a cause and ultimately finding a cure for this devastating disease. As more people join the cause, the Path will grow longer, more diverse, and far-reaching. Click on the ‘Path to a Cure’ below to find out more.

In 2022, the Multiple System Trust celebrated 25 years of supporting people with MSA.

In 2023, we hosted our largest Tree Planting event to date, welcoming over 120 members and planting more than 250 oak saplings. It was a special day where members of the MSA community could connect with each other, meet our staff and the Thoresby foresters, and plant trees in memory or support of their loved ones. We aim to plant more oak saplings and expand Sarah’s Wood, creating a haven for reflection and remembrance for years to come. As more saplings are planted, the woods will continue to grow, becoming a lasting symbol of hope for the MSA community.

In 2023, the MSA Trust was chosen as the charity partner for the prestigious Cereals event, a prominent farming exhibition held at Thoresby Park. We hosted a stand in the heart of Sarah’s Wood, surrounding Sarah’s tree. This incredible fundraising opportunity raised over £30,000 and allowed us to raise awareness about MSA to an audience of 20,000 people who were previously unfamiliar with the condition.

Summer Social

Our Summer Social at Sarah’s Wood is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together, support the Trust, and meet others affected by MSA. It’s also a chance to view the newly ordered engraved bricks and the Path to a Cure at Sarah’s Wood. This annual fundraising event is enjoyable for both adults and children, featuring children’s activities, Afternoon Tea, and a walk around Sarah’s Wood to see the Path to a Cure.

The event provides a special opportunity to remember loved ones lost to MSA and to connect with other families affected by it, all while supporting the Trust. This year’s event will be held on Saturday the 5th of July, from 1-3pm.

Plant a Tree

In June 2017, we established and began planting Sarah’s Wood, a small copse of oak trees in Nottingham Forest, to honour our founder and serve as a symbol of hope and growth for those living with MSA, as well as in memory of our loved ones. Since then, we have held annual tree planting events where our members can join us, along with the Thoresby Park foresters, to plant trees in memory or support of loved ones. To date, we have planted over 1,000 trees.

We warmly invite all our members to participate in our next tree planting event to help us further develop this special project. With your support, we aim to plant more oak saplings and expand Sarah’s Wood, creating a haven for reflection and remembrance for years to come. As more saplings are planted, the woods will continue to grow, becoming a lasting symbol of hope for the MSA community. Please note, we accept tree planting orders throughout the year, and our next tree planting day will on the last week of November (dates tbc). If you would like to attend, please fill out the handy form below. Alternatively, if you are unable to attend in person, we can plant a tree on your behalf and send you a certificate once your sapling has been planted.

If you need more information about Sarah’s Wood, please contact the office on 0333 323 4591 or email fundraising@msatrust.org.uk

Path to a Cure

In 2019, we initiated a project inviting our members to contribute to Sarah’s Wood, a special place for the MSA community. Known as the Path to a Cure, a pathway leading directly to Sarah’s tree. The path is adorned with engraved bricks inscribed with the names of members of our MSA community. It symbolises our commitment to researching the causes and ultimately finding a cure for this devastating disease. As more individuals join, the Path will expand, becoming more extensive and inclusive.

The address for Thoresby Park main car park is: Thoresby Park, Nr. Ollerton, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG22 9EP.

Use the form below to order an engraved brick for yourself or a loved one. We ask for a minimum donation of £60 to cover our costs. Please note, while we accept orders for engraved bricks throughout the year, additions to the path are laid annually. To have your brick included in our 2025 installation, please place your order by April 30th.

Directions to Sarah’s Wood

Sarah’s Wood is open to the public year-round, and attendance at a Trust event is not necessary. However, it is crucial to check the Thoresby Estate website for current opening times.

The Visitors Centre next to the main carpark features a courtyard with toilets, a café, and shops. Please note there are no toilets within the woods. The wood is a brief 10 to 15-minute walk from the main car park. Visitors with mobility issues requiring vehicle access should contact a member of the fundraising team at fundraising@msatrust.org.uk so that we may arrange car access to the woods.

Note that Thoresby Estate, being a working farm/private estate, may have heavy machinery operating on the roads, so exercise caution.