Angel tree source of memories

Alma inspired to give back

WHEN Alma Williams’ husband died of cancer, she hung a small angel on the tree in her beautiful garden to remember him.

Then one day while she had opened her garden to the public during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers through The Chronicle’s Garden Competition, she had a little girl whose family member had died of cancer visit her.

“I made her a cup of tea and told her to go sit under the tree and hang up an angel,” she said.

After that day, she thought she would invite others who had lost someone special to hang an angel on the tree in memory of their loved ones.

Now, 10 years later, the tree is decorated in many tiny angels, some hung by people she doesn’t know.

She knows that it doesn’t bring them back, but it’s a lovely way to remember people they loved.

During that time, through opening her garden during the competition in September and various other Christmas campaigns, Mrs Williams has raised more than $100,000 for cancer research at the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation.

Mrs Williams said she chose the charity, based at Greenslopes Private Hospital in Brisbane, because all the money she raised went directly to research.

Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation fundraising and communications coordinator Andrew Cramb said the foundation was very thankful for people like Mrs Williams.

“We wouldn’t be able to do the work we do without people like Alma,” he said.

Mrs Williams will be entering her garden in the Class 6 Novice category this year, as well as options Heritage Bank Cottage Garden, Veterans and Waterwise.

Entries for The Chronicle Garden Competition close on July 31.

Entrants can enter up to one class with three options.

The Chronicle’s marketing manager Stacey Hixon said she was looking forward to seeing all of the beautiful gardens come September.

She said the number of first time entrants was the highest it had been in the history of the competition.

She thanked The Chronicle Garden Competition’s sponsors Toowoomba Regional Council and Heritage for their support.

For more details, the Ms Hixon on 4690 9434.

PHOTO: BEV LACEY FUNDRAISER: The Chronicle Garden Competition entrant Alma Williams and Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation’s Andrew Cramb celebrate Alma’s fundraising. BELOW: Alma William’s great-grandaughter Ebony du Frocq plays in the garden.