Linda Petrons brings us up to date on how our “Hand of Friendship” helped Greenfingers Charity
For our 2018 Hand of Friendship campaign, we asked “Friend” readers to support the vital work of the Greenfingers Charity, which creates wonderful gardens for children’s hospices throughout the UK. Over three weeks last summer, we highlighted the efforts of this amazing organisation to improve the lives of the many children and families who rely upon these vital facilities.
As we knew they would, our generous readers responded at once, donating money and sharing their own stories of how much gardens mean to them. Here, Linda Petrons of Greenfingers explains how your kindness is already making a difference. Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Greenfingers Charity, brings us up to date on how our Hand of Friendship campaign has helped create magical gardens for children in hospices.
IN 2018, “The People’s Friend” reached out the Hand of Friendship to Greenfingers Charity – the only charity in the UK creating magical and inspiring gardens for life-limited children who spend time in hospices.
We were delighted to have the opportunity to tell “Friend” readers about the real difference our charity has been making since it was founded nearly 20 years ago.
Many readers have since written to tell us what it means to them to spend time outside in the fresh air and close to nature, and we have been touched by your stories and kind words – and also by the very many donations received.
So far, your generosity has raised over £16,000. This money will go a long way towards the creation of more Greenfingers Charity Gardens, where many precious family memories can be created. Thank you.
I recently spent some time with garden designer Andrew Fisher Tomlin at Richard House Children’s Hospice in East London, and was thrilled to hear more about the inspiration behind his design for a new one-acre woodland walk there.
“I recognise just how important well-designed outside spaces are for children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions,” Andrew explained. “I am keen to ensure this new garden should be a magical and enchanting space in which the whole family can enjoy spending time together.
“An exciting waterfall and bridge will provide a stimulating experience for children in wheelchairs; a
lab byrinth and castle will pro ovide an air of mystery, and d the tall trees, wildlife and d year-round colour will be a feast for all the senses for children like Leyana to enjoy.”
Alongside Andrew’s creation at Richard House, the new sensory garden at Claire House Children’s Hospice in the Wirral and the all-weather garden at Little Harbour Children’s Hospice in Cornwall will encourage more children to spend time outside, enjoying the therapeutic benefits of being in the fresh air. All three are due for completion in 2019.
While the world continues to move at a rapid pace, we know that some things haven’t changed.
For example, it’s clear that providing safe and protective therapeutic gardens is still a big challenge for many hospices.
Hospices across the UK rightly continue to work hard to raise money for the valuable work that goes on inside their buildings, leaving them with little resource for anything else – including gardens where outside therapies can take place. That’s where Greenfingers Charity can help.
As the charity approaches its 20th anniversary, we will celebrate the 55 gardens we have completed so far. But there are still many hospices that need our help now.
With your support, and the help of many others, Greenfingers Charity is looking forward to the future, and to being able to continue making a very real difference to many hundreds of children and families who face an uncertain future.
So to all of you who have been inspired by the work of the charity, and those who have helped us over the last year, we – and the children we support – would like to say a huge thank you for caring, thank you for donating and thank you for being our friend. ■