Peter lives on through memorial garden

THERE WAS a great turnout at the official opening of the Dementia Friendly Garden at St Columcille’s Hospital recently.

The garden outside St Joseph’s ‘Care of the Elderly’ Ward aims to create a safe and therapeutic outdoor space for patients with dementia.

The idea for the garden came about following the death of Peter Tipping who was a volunteer with Difference Days, a company which creates a day that gives people the opportunity to give something back to the community.

In January of this year, Peter passed away suddenly.

Difference Days approached St Columcille’s Hospital asking to do something at the hospital in memory of Peter. Difference Days team up with Monkstown Hockey Club to create the special garden.

It took just one day to create the garden as more than 140 volunteers from Difference Days, Monkstown Hockey Club, staff of St Columcille’s Hospital and the family of the late Peter Tipping joined forces to undertake the special project.

The garden was officially opened last Thursday by Denzil and Hazel Tipping, parents of the late Peter Tipping.

The family of the later Peter Tipping: Sam Hohn, Denzil Tipping, Hazel Tipping, Gill Hohn, Rachel Hohn and Graham Hohn.

Denzil and Hazel Tipping, Denis’s parents’, with Denis O’Reilly from Difference Days and Hilary Flynn from Loughlinstown Hospital.

Chloe Connolly, Sean Cunningham, Jennifer McKenzie and Sybil Connolly, the family of John and Dorothy McKenzie, who gave a donation in their memory towards the garden.

Denzil and Hazel Tipping cut the ribbon on the garden.

Dr Ronan Canavan from the Friends of St Columcille’s accepts a cheque from Gillian Conroy and Louise McCormack on behalf of the staff.