£10,000 donation towards new Commemorative Garden at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital

Gloucestershire County Council has donated £10,000 towards a commemorative garden at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity is raising funds to create new and improved outdoor spaces, including a commemorative garden at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, and the county council was pleased to put its support behind the appeal.

The area is being designed by TV presenter Danny Clarke and will be transformed into a tranquil and calming space, based on the theme of a woodland glade, and features a sunken seating area, pergola and raised beds.

The garden is being created to remember the lives lost during the pandemic and to say thank you to the NHS and the care sector – care home staff, home carers, young carers, neighbours, friends and family members – who have done so much to help support, care and protect some of the most vulnerable people in our county during these unprecedented times.

Sarah Scott, Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Public Health at Gloucestershire County Council said: “Sadly, so many of us will have experienced the loss of a loved one over the past twelve months. Our thoughts remain with everyone who has struggled as a result of Covid-19.

“We are so pleased and proud to be able to support this fantastic project which will provide people with a peaceful place to reflect. Carers, NHS staff and other key workers in the county have been fantastic throughout the past twelve months – almost certainly the most challenging times they will have ever experienced. The garden will help create a lasting legacy of the contribution of these, quite often, unsung heroes, during this difficult chapter in the world’s history.”

Karen Organ, Senior Fundraiser at Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity, said “We would like to thank everyone at Gloucestershire County Council for their incredible donation to our latest appeal. Commemorative gardens at Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General hospitals will provide places for staff to rest and take time out, becoming spaces for patients to enjoy and relax in, and where visitors can spend time with their loved ones.”

“Having these Commemorative areas is such a special and important way to recognise those we have sadly lost during the pandemic and say thank you to so many people for their commitment and support over the past twelve months – from our NHS staff, the key workers and carers, local businesses and the Gloucestershire community – we are so grateful to each and every one of you.”