Three trees have been planted at Clare Hall to mark the birth of children to parents studying there.

Maria Cullen was eight months pregnant when she came to Clare Hall with her husband, Jonathan, who was beginning a three-year PhD course in engineering.

The New Zealand couple had been working in Peru previously and so planned to use the final month before birth to stock up on baby equipment.

Leni, now 22 months old, had other ideas and was born within days of their arrival.

“I don't know what I would have done without the outstanding support of this wonderful college,” Maria says. “We literally arrived here with two suitcases. Leni coming early could have made things very difficult, but we were supplied with everything we could possibly need.”

Cambridge City Council offer to donate a young tree for every baby born in the city, so Jonathan and Maria chose to donate their tree to the College by way of saying thank you.

A ceremony was held last week at which College President Professor Ekhard Salje thanked the couple and Leni, as well as the City Council, for their imaginative idea.

Also at the event was Carina Ferrari, godmother to Mateo and Lumila Ragnani who were also born at the College and have donated their trees.

The President said: “We have had many babies born at Clare Hall over the years. The College is particularly suited to supporting new parents because of the unique family like community here.”

Clare Hall is a college for advanced study in the University of Cambridge and welcomes graduate students and senior scholarly visitors from all over the world.

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