Green-fingered volunteers have taken time out of their day job to transform a garden at the East Surrey Macmillan Cancer Support Centre at East Surrey Hospital.
Ten members of the Redhill branch of Marks and Spencer re-vamped the garden, planting flowers, herbs and vegetables. The makeover team also installed a thousand pounds’ worth of equipment including wooden plant boxes, a shed, seat and bordering. The project is part of Make it Matter, a nationwide campaign by Marks and Spencer to support people in their local communities.
Shelagh Sheldrick, East Surrey Macmillan Cancer Support Centre manager, said: “Gardening is a really positive way for people to keep mentally and physically active, both during and after treatment for cancer. We are extremely grateful to the Redhill Marks and Spencer team for all their hard work and the generous gifts that have made the garden a more homely, enticing space.
“The new vegetable troughs and wooden planters will help us to encourage more cancer patients, their friends and family to develop the garden.”
Jo Weaver, project lead for Redhill Marks and Spencer, said: “This project has meant a lot to all of us. We could see that transforming this little haven for the people who attend the centre would be something to lift their spirits. Hopefully it will help them on their way to healing, even if it just involves looking out of the window and seeing the beautiful plants.
“Our brief was to ‘make every moment special in the community’ and I hope that we have done this for the patients and visitors to the East Surrey Macmillan Cancer Support Centre. It was a pleasure to have worked with Shelagh and her incredible team of volunteers.”
The East Surrey Macmillan Cancer Support Centre staff are looking for volunteers to lead on projects to continue the garden’s development. Contact Shelagh Sheldrick for more information: shelagh.sheldrick@sash.nhs.uk
