Who We Are

"Horatio's Garden has provided a turning point in the care of people in the spinal units where they are now available. I hope that one day, every one of us, the people living with the legacy of a spinal injury, will have started their journey of rehabilitation with a Horatio's Garden as the font of their recovery."

Annie Maw is the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset. Annie is a wheelchair user after being injured and becoming paraplegic in a riding accident in 2002 and spending many months in the spinal injuries centre in Salisbury. Annie was a founding trustee of Horatio's Garden and her experience and ideas shaped the design of the charity's first garden in Salisbury.

"I believe that Horatio's Garden will be an important and beautiful creation that will contribute enormously to the well being of Scottish spinal patients. I remember the grimness of the courtyard in Glasgow and what a garden, such as you plan, would have done to lift my spirits."

Melanie is an award winning columnist for the Times newspaper and writes 'Spinal Column' each week in the Times Saturday colour supplement. Melanie broke her back riding in 2010 and is now tetraplegic. Following her accident Melanie spent 12 months in the Scottish National Spinal Injuries Unit in Glasgow. Her book 'The World I Fell Out Of' was published in 2019 and chronicles her experiences in the aftermath of paralysis.

"I am delighted to support Horatio's Garden. Over the years some of my main interests have been in quality of life and well-being for those who are unwell. This can be influenced by many things, including the environment of care. A garden can make all the difference to someone who needs help and support."

Sir Kenneth Calman is the former Chief Medical Officer of Scotland, and then England. In his medical career Sir Kenneth worked as a surgeon, oncologist and cancer researcher. He was the UK Representative at the World Health Organisation and chaired its Executive Committee. Sir Kenneth was also Chair of the Board of Trustees of the National Trust for Scotland and is currently Chair of the Board of National Library of Scotland.

"I am aware how much pleasure and real enjoyment patients get from gardens in hospitals and how in addition they aid recovery. This is especially so with patients confined to a bed or wheel chairs. Horatio's Garden at the Scottish National Spinal Injuries Unit at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow is a huge asset and a very worthwhile supporting."

Sir James Stirling is a retired Scottish army officer and chartered surveyor, who served as Lord Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk from 1983 to 2005. He was a partner at K. Ryden and Partners and also sat on the boards of Woolwich Building Society and the Scottish Widows and Life Insurance Fund. He holds the Order of the British Empire and is a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. He is a knowledgeable and keen gardener.

"A garden is ‘the purest of human pleasures’, in the words of Francis Bacon, so Horatio Chapple’s vision of creating gardens to be enjoyed by patients with spinal injuries was truly inspired.

I am delighted to be an Ambassador of Horatio’s Garden, at the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit in Glasgow - the only spinal injury centre in Scotland. It is with great excitement that we open the second Horatio's Garden making Horatio's vision become a reality for patients from all over Scotland who have been injured. I look forward to watching this new garden grow and seeing it bring pleasure to many in Horatio’s memory."

Helen Rosslyn is an art historian who has presented the acclaimed BBC series on art and is Director of the London Original Print Fair and the Arts editor for Tatler.

"Being an ambassador for Horatio’s Garden is a tremendous honour and, for me, a chance to demonstrate what I have always believed - that gardens and gardening are great healers. It is all too easy to lose touch with reality today - the reality that is rooted in nature and gardens and which is far more durable than the day-to-day worries of most mortals. Horatio’s Garden uses outdoor spaces to provide solace, respite and understanding of the values of the natural world to those who will benefit from it most, and they deserve the support of every one of us."

Alan is a gardener, celebrated broadcaster, poet, and novelist. Alan has been a key presenter on TV's Gardeners' World and Ground Force and currently hosts a regular Classic FM show.

"I spent 15 months in The National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC), Stoke Mandeville following a bit of a bump during the war in Bosnia in 1993. If Horatio’s Garden had been there it would have been a huge boost to be able to enjoy the serenity, beauty and social contact with others facing the life changing challenge of coping with a spinal cord injury.
It is a joy that the NSIC and its patients will be fortunate in having a Horatio’s Garden. I could not be more supportive of this stimulating addition to the first spinal centre in the world."

"Horatio’s Garden at the Stoke Mandeville Spinal Injury Centre does so much to lift the spirits of patients. It gives the opportunity to breathe fresh air; feel the wind and sun and rain; enjoy the scents from the flowers & earth and to savour some non-clinical time with friends and family and staff. It is a huge pleasure to be an Ambassador for Horatio Chapple’s vision."

Milly was the former High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire and during her office highlighted the plight of loneliness and promoted ideas and organisations working together to alleviate it. Milly's husband Rupert is Winston Churchill’s grandson, has lived in Buckinghamshire for 25 years. She farms, supports local charities and volunteers.

"Horatio's Gardens represent a wonderful tribute to the vision of young Horatio Chapple and the tenacity of his marvellous family. They play a crucial role in filling the gap between the necessary confinement of a spinal injuries hospital and the human yearning for sweet fresh air, beautiful spaces to lift the spirits, contact with non-medical friends and the sense of renewal after traumatic experiences. The Victorians understood the importance of hospital gardens, and 20th-century progress has in so many cases replaced these spaces with the car parks. I remember sitting in at the Stoke Mandeville of old, piecemeal building projects and the like. Horatio's Gardens have reversed this trend and in doing so offer spinally injured inestimable steps forward in their rehabilitation."

Andrew Widdowson sustained a broken neck playing rugby at Oxford University and is tetraplegic. Following long treatment in Stoke Mandeville he became a maths teacher working full time at Felstead School in Essex until his retirement. He knew Horatio Chapple well and taught Horatio a lot about living with a disability.

It is a privilege to have Baroness Masham's support as an ambassador of Horatio's Garden. Not only is she a medal-winning Paralympic swimmer and table tennis player, she is also Westminster's longest serving life peer. She continues to champion disability, health, and penal reforms in the House of Lords, just as she has done throughout her 50-year career. The Baroness has previously visited our Stoke Mandeville garden, spending time admiring the beautiful space and exchanging stories with patients and their loved ones.

Baroness Masham was paralysed in a riding accident in 1958, and subsequently became a champion for causes related to disability. She is an active member of the House of Lords, where she takes a particular interest in issues surrounding disability, health and penal reform. In 2011, she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal College of Nursing. She was the founder of the Spinal Injuries Association, of which she is President. She competed in several Paralympic Games, winning medals for table tennis in 1960, 1964, and 1968.

“I’m thrilled to be involved with Horatio's Garden. I’ve seen the amazing work carried out at Stoke Mandeville over the years and the garden is a wonderful haven for patients and families. I can’t wait to see the charity's story continue.”

Anneka is a well known TV presenter and broadcaster. Recently on Strictly Come Dancing she also hosts a regular Radio Two show. Anneka is also an artist having studied painting at Chelsea College of Art. Having had a close friend who experienced a spinal cord injury and was in Stoke Mandeville, Anneka has had first hand experience of the need for gardens to support patients and their loved ones during their long hospital stays.

"Horatio’s Garden is a place to be with friends. I had friends come to see me and you are always a bit embarrassed when friends come to the ward and you’ve got all your medical stuff in and around the bed. Going to Horatio’s Garden is like being on a day out or somewhere you would rather be and friends would rather be visiting you. It's other than a hospital. It’s about getting back to normality and about finding who you are again rather than that person who has been injured. And I do not know how that would be possible without Horatio’s Garden. It is not just a pretty garden in a hospital it is really, really so much more and I have been privileged to use it."

Jack was paralysed in a car accident during his time at Bristol University. After spending months in the spinal injury centre in Salisbury, using Horatio's Garden daily, he returned to university to complete a degree in History. Jack is an inaugural member of the Horatio's Garden Young Supporters Group and has spoken at events for the charity.

" I urge you to continue to support this fine garden project which will improve the lives of people facing paralysis."

Sir Algernon Heber-Percy and his wife Jane have generously supported the capital appeal for Horatio's Garden Oswestry from the very beginning. Sir Algernon is a garden enthusiast and has been involved in a number of organisations, including periods as a trustee of the National Gardens Scheme and as a member of the National Trust's regional committee. he served as High Sheriff of Shropshire for the 1987–88 year and then served as Lord Lieutenant from 1996 to 2019.

Maggie was formerly a trustee of Horatio's Garden and has been involved with the charity since it was established.

Maggie studied at the Institut Francais and worked for a stock broker in Paris for a number of years. On returning to the UK Maggie left the financial world to focus her career in corporate branding and marketing. She specialised in the creation of brand names and continues to work on naming projects.

Maggie lives in Wiltshire where she helps to run a family farming business. She is an enthusiastic gardener and organises workshops for cooking and gardening at her home.

In 2020, now more than ever, the benefits outside space has on someone’s wellbeing is being noted and needed in spades. When someone sustains a spinal cord injury they can be bed bound and confined to a small hospital space in the initial months. The freedoms and pleasures they enjoyed without thinking, vanish as they try to come to terms with their trauma. Rehabilitating in a hospital that has a Horatio’s Garden is priceless. It allows space, time and healing to occur in a positive, vibrant and nurturing atmosphere. In 2020 we’ve all had a slight insight as to what it might be like to acclimatise to a new normal following a sudden change of life. Horatio’s Garden allows people to experience joy again when the sun shines on their face or the air fills their lungs. Over time it instills confidence and enables those injured to live a meaningful life.

It is for this reason that I am incredibly proud to be an Ambassador for Horatio’s Garden and support the much needed work nationally.

Raquel Siganporia sustained a spinal cord injury aged 11 in 1993. She was rehabilitated at Stanmore spinal injury unit after 3 months of being bed bound.

Olivia is the co-founder and chair of the trustees of Horatio’s Garden charity. Horatio was her eldest son.

Olivia trained in medicine at St Thomas’s Hospital London, followed by postgraduate training at The Royal Free Hospital and worked as a general practitioner until 2011. She served as a charity Board Director for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation until 2012. As a GP she was an advocate of the benefits of gardens and gardening and has seen first-hand how the natural environment can comfort and enhance wellbeing.

In 2017 Olivia was awarded a Points of Light award by the Prime Minister for voluntary service.

David has been a Consultant Spinal Surgeon for the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust and at New Hall Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire since 2001.

David Chapple qualified at St Thomas’s Hospital Medical School in 1990. He trained as a spinal and general orthopaedic surgeon at St George’s Hospital Medical School, London and completed a specialist Spinal Research and Surgical Fellowship in at The Royal Adelaide University Hospital, Australia.

David is very involved with the spinal surgery community as a member of the British Association of Spinal Surgeons and the British Orthopaedic Association. David is widely respected as a senior, experienced spinal surgeon amongst colleagues and staff.

Horatio was David’s eldest son and they worked together on the initial patient research to form the concepts for the charity.

Bianca trained as a speech and language therapist and worked in various hospitals and schools with both adults and children. Bianca has worked as a volunteer for several years in a shelter for women who had suffered abuse and also a care home for adults with learning disabilities.

Bianca has four adult children and has always worked with different charities, advising on fundraising and helping host events to both fundraise and increase awareness for the charity concerned. In addition, she works in property development and is involved in the art world.

Catherine Burns is a retired solicitor who has been active in the charitable sector throughout her professional life and since retirement. Her involvement with Horatio’s Garden stemmed from visiting a friend who was a patient in the Spinal Unit in Glasgow. She recognised the potential of the outside space and subsequently spearheaded the fundraising campaign for Horatio’s Garden Scotland. She became a trustee in 2016.

Catherine is very interested in gardens and their health benefits. She is a keen gardener and a Fellow of the RHS. She is married to Richard and has a daughter, Mary. She divides her time between Edinburgh and Berwickshire, with regular trips to Glasgow!

David Gregg is a teacher and Deputy Head at Eton College. He took a degree in Politics at Queen’s University, Belfast, subsequently attending Oxford University as a postgraduate. He previously taught at Wellington College and Bradfield College, was Chief Examiner in Government and Politics, and has published on both history and political philosophy.
David came to Eton in 1993 as Head of Economics and Politics and was a House Master from 2000 to 2013. He was Horatio Chapple’s House Master from 2007-2011.

David has coached rugby and cricket at Eton, and is an experienced Field Game umpire. An enthusiastic sailor, David crossed the Atlantic during his sabbatical in 2013, raising funds for Horatio’s Garden. He is currently Deputy Head (Pastoral) where he has overall responsibility for the welfare of the boys. His role involves oversight of boarding provision and the work of 25 House Masters, as well as all aspects of pastoral care. He is also the Designated Safeguarding Lead and deals with all child protection matters as the head of the school’s safeguarding team.

Lisa Stratton has worked extensively in both the charitable and strategic marketing sectors over the last thirty years. Having started a PR Company in her early twenties and The Honeypot Charity in her mid twenties, Lisa has extensive experience in both strategic marketing and communications as well as the machinations of successfully running both a business and a charity.

Lisa is passionate about applying the principles of managing a sustainable business to the charity sector to ensure a professional, efficient and intelligent approach.
Lisa lives near Salisbury with her family and works as a brand marketing and communications consultant in London.

Following a degree in three dimensional design, Victoria worked as a marketing manager focusing on new product development. In 2002, she sustained a spinal cord injury, breaking her neck at C5 while skydiving in Spain which resulted in permanent paralysis from below the shoulders down.

Victoria served as a trustee and director of two charities related to spinal cord injuries before joining the Horatio’s Garden board of trustees in 2013.

Yan was a founding partner and portfolio manager at Finisterre Capital LLP, an emerging market fund management specialist. He retired from the business in 2013.

Prior to Finisterre Yan worked at various investment banks from 1986 until 2002. He was at Salomon Brothers in London and New York from 1993. Prior to this Yan was at Westpac Banking Corporation in London and Singapore and before that he was a corporate finance executive at Mitsubishi Finance International in London.

From 1983 to 1986, Yan was Managing Director of Aquaman (UK) Limited, a marine electronics accessory business he founded (now called Aquapac International Ltd).

Yan has an MA in Law from Cambridge University, speaks Spanish and French and is keen on outdoor activities. Yan is now a private investor and organic farmer.

After graduating from Oxford University, Richard qualified as an accountant with Price Waterhouse. He then spent 25 years in Corporate Finance with Hill Samuel Bank and Close Brothers. He has chaired several companies and is still active as a Non-Executive Director.

Richard is married to Miranda and lives in Sussex. They have four adult daughters.

Fiona joined Horatio's Garden in June 2017 as the Office Administrator. She previously worked in the NHS for the Salisbury & North Hants Diabetic Eye Screening Service as an administrator. Before the NHS, Fiona worked in various administrative and secretarial roles and at a children's day nursery.

Prior to joining Horatio's Garden in January 2019, John was a trustee of several military charities before retiring from a career that spanned 33 years. In his last appointment, he was responsible for people, estates and the infrastructure for the Army in London.

Bethan joined Horatio’s Garden in March 2020 and is part-funded by The Ashden Trust. Bethan has been a fundraiser in the charity sector for over 12 years, and has raised large sums for Cancer Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, Teenage Cancer Trust, Beanstalk and Career Ready. Originally from the North West, Bethan has recently moved to Dorset and is enjoying the beautiful beaches and coastline.

Julia joined the team in May 2020. Julia is a Chartered Management Accountant and previously worked in distribution, manufacturing and engineering before moving to the not-for profit sector. She joined us from Ansbury, a Dorset based youth engagement and employability charity, where she is also part-time Director of Finance and Commercial. Julia is a keen road cyclist and tennis player.

Annabel joined the team as Head of Events in 2018.

Emma joined the team in 2018 and works part time as Head of Fundraising and Trusts & Foundations. Emma previously worked as a theatrical agent, is a trustee of Salisbury International Arts Festival and graduated from Oxford University. She has lived in Wiltshire for 20 years.

Kathryn joined Horatio’s Garden in April 2019 taking up the full time post of Marketing Manager. The last 10 years of Kathryn’s marketing career have been in the travel industry working for several niche travel operators. She has been a trustee of a local Well Women’s charity and is active member of the Salisbury Parkrun community.

Jane joined the Horatio’s Garden team as Finance Manager in February 2019. She has worked in a variety of businesses, including a soup company and in river restoration. Prior to taking on her new role, she spent the last eight years working as Business and Financial Manager for Admiral Yacht Insurance in Salisbury.

Sue joined the team in September 2019. Having spent over 50 years living and working in Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire, Sue has extensive knowledge of the area surrounding Horatio's Garden Stoke Mandeville. Sue has previously organised and managed numerous events and major fundraising campaigns for both local and national charities, including Blue Cross. She has travelled internationally and is a keen sportswoman with a particular passion for golf.

Lucy joined the Horatio’s Garden Team in August 2019 to co-ordinate the new ‘Garden Tours’. She is passionate about gardens and gardening, also working as a garden photographer. She has a strong interest in the therapeutic impact of gardens, wildlife friendly gardening and encouraging a new generation of gardeners through school gardening programmes.

Having graduated with a Masters in Public Humanities from the University of Sheffield in 2017, Beth joined the team in 2018 as full-time Fundraising Assistant.

Having completed a degree in Classical Studies at Royal Holloway University of London in 2016, Becca joined the team in October 2018.

Alex graduated from the University of Bristol with a BA degree in History in 2018 and joined us in January 2019 for a year-long, full-time internship funded by The Rank Foundation. As a result, she officially became our Communications Assistant in January 2020 and continues to be funded by The Rank Foundation.

Stephen joined the team in 2018 as Head Gardener at Horatio's Garden Salisbury and has recently taken over the role of Volunteer Coordinator. He is funded by both Bolt Burdon Kemp and the Wiltshire Community Foundation.

Whilst re-training as a psychotherapeutic counsellor, Susie volunteered and was later employed as a horticultural therapist in Surrey. Having moved to Wiltshire, she now works at Horatio’s Garden Salisbury two afternoons a week, offering garden therapy to patients.

Sallie joined the team in the beginning of 2016 in Glasgow and is Head Gardener of Horatio's Garden Scotland. She has a vast array of experience in the horticultural sector and still works as a Horticultural Therapist in the garden. She recently won Scotland's 'Gardener of the Year' in recognition of her work in Horatio's Garden.

Jacqui joined the team as Head Gardener at Horatio's Garden Stoke Mandeville in 2018. She is funded by both Bolt Burdon Kemp and The Robert McAlpine Foundation. Alongside her wonderful work with the charity, she also runs a Forest School for children.

Imogen joined the team in June 2019 as Head Gardener of Horatio's Garden Oswestry.
She previously worked as Horticultural Instructor at the Bethlem Royal Hospital, running patient groups in a walled garden, courtyard garden and orchards.
Imogen has a Social and Therapeutic Horticulture MSc from Coventry University and is funded by The Peter Sowerby Foundation.

Yvonne is an MA Hons graduate and joined Horatio's Garden in 2019 as Administration Assistant in Scotland. She has had a long career in corporate marketing and product management and absolutely loves dogs.

Anna joined the Horatio's Garden team in 2018 as administration assistant in Horatio's Garden Stoke Mandeville.

Martin joined the team in 2020. He has enjoyed a number of careers in the public sector, arts charities and in gardens and is now using his varied experience to make a real contribution to the success of Horatio's Garden Oswestry.

Chelsea will be supporting Head Gardener Sallie Sillars in the garden for two days a week, which is part of her commitment to the ‘Work and Retrain as a Gardener Scheme’ (WRAGS) run by the Women’s Farm and Garden Association (WFGA). Her position has been largely funded by The Finnis Scott Foundation.

For more information about volunteering with Horatio's Garden, please email volunteer@horatiosgarden.org.uk.

We encourage Volunteens to come to learn and help in the gardens, aimed at those aged 16 and above. If you are interested in helping during your summer holidays, or as part of work experience, please email volunteer@horatiosgarden.org.uk.

Volunteers are at the heart of Horatio's Garden, supporting patients at the spinal centres and their families and friends. Great friendships are struck up between volunteers and patients making for a 'home from home' atmosphere.

As well as helping in the gardens, lots of our volunteers get involved with events. If you would like to be part of a vibrant team helping occasionally with any of our events throughout the year, please email volunteer@horatiosgarden.org.uk.