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".

"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".

"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".

"I am aware from other charities how much pleasure and real enjoyment patients get from a garden near their hospital and how in addition it aids their recovery. This must be especially so with patients confined to a bed or wheel chair. Horatio's Garden at the South Glasgow University Hospital will be a huge asset and a very worthwhile memorial".

"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 a Patron of Horatio’s first Scottish Garden, at the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit in Glasgow, and it is with great excitement that we embark on a project to make his vision become a reality for the second time. I look forward to watching this new garden grow and bring pleasure to many in Horatio’s memory".

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 well-being.

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 4 adult children and has always worked with different charities, advising on fund raising 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.

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 Cameron 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.

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.

All our staff and volunteers work with dedication and commitment. We could not run without their unwavering support. All our office staff are part time accounting for just 4.5 full time equivalent.

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 admin/secretarial roles and at a children's day nursery.

Lucy has a background of 15 years in the Not for Profit sector and has run her own business. In 2018 Lucy joined the team as Head of Communications.

Annabel joined the team as Head of Events in 2018.

James joined the Horatio's Garden team in 2018 as Finance Director.

Emma joined the team in 2018 and works part time as Head of Fundraising and Trusts & Foundations.

Sandra joined Horatio's Garden in November 2016 as the Finance Adminstrator. She is a qualified accountant, who worked for R Twinings & Co Ltd for 20 years as their Group Accountant and Accounts Service Manager, before taking early retirement. Prior to Twinings, Sandra was the Accountant for Britax Excelsior in Andover which manufactures Child Seats.

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

Stephen joined the team in 2018 as Head Gardener at Horatio's Garden Salisbury and has recently taken over the role of Volunteer Co-Ordinator.

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.

Jacqui joined the team as Head Gardener at Horatio's Garden Stoke Mandeville in 2018, and alongside this she works in a Forest School for children.

Miranda has returned to Horatio's Garden for her second summer working as Charitable Trusts and Foundations assistant, supplementing her degree in Classics at Oxford University.

Jo joined Horatio's Garden in January 2018 as part of The Rank Foundation's Time to Shine Internship programme after graduating from the Royal Agricultural University in 2016. She is now working as Communications & Media Intern.

For more information about volunteering at any of Horatio's Gardens please email volunteer@horatiosgarden.org.uk

We encourage Volunteens to come and 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 and you would like to be part of a vibrant team helping occasioanlly with any of our events throughout the year please email volunteer@horatiosgarden.org.uk