Third Horatio’s Garden Underway at Stoke Mandeville

With shovels at the ready, David M^cAlpine and Vince Lydon of Sir Robert M^cAlpine, Joe Swift, BBC Gardeners’ World presenter and designer of the Horatio’s Garden at Stoke Mandeville, George Plumptre, CEO of the National Gardens Scheme, and Dr Olivia Chapple, Founder and Chair of Horatio’s Garden, along with the Gardenlink team, patients and staff got the third Horatio’s Garden off to a great start.

Joe Swift, well known as BBC Gardeners’ World presenter and garden designer, said “It’s extremely exciting to be starting the build at Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville. The design and fundraising process is now complete. I, for one, can’t wait to see the transformation of what was an underused, uninviting space into an accessible, vibrant garden where patients, family and friends can spend time together outdoors.”

David M^cAlpine said: “I am delighted to be here to help mark the start of work on this inspiring garden.  It will offer patients and their families a sanctuary of tranquility.  I wish the charity every success with this and its future projects.”

Olivia Chapple said: “We are very excited to be starting work on this transformative project for patients at the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville.  We are very grateful to everyone who has contributed to the capital appeal to support the creation of this garden, which will help those facing life changing injuries. We would particularly like to thank Sir Robert M^cAlpine who are generously helping with the site excavation to create a totally level and accessible garden for patients in beds and wheelchairs.”

Nigel Henderson, Clinical Director at the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, said: “I know just how much this garden will mean to patients of all ages, particularly as many need to stay with us for a long time. Having such a beautiful outside space will be hugely beneficial and have a positive impact on their wellbeing. On behalf of Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, I would like to thank all those involved with Horatio’s Garden for choosing to work with Stoke Mandeville.”

For further information or to support this project, please visit www.horatiosgarden.org.uk

In the photo above are left to right: Edward Macfarlane Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Vince Lydon Sir Robert McAlpine, George Plumptre National Gardens Scheme, Milly Soames Appeal Patron, Jeremy Harmsworth Sir Robert McAlpine, Joe Swift, David McAlpine, Nigel Henderson National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital,  Olivia Chapple Horatio’s Garden, Sir John Chapple, Andrew Wells 3D Architecture Ltd, Dan Flynn Gardenlink.