Grey skies and a spot of rain didn’t stop anyone from raising a glass to the opening of Horatio’s Garden Wales, with a wonderful crowd gathering for an Afternoon Tea at the gorgeous Miskin Manor to mark the occasion.
The fundraising event was organised by our brilliant Wales Fundraising Group, who not only ensured everything looked lovely, but also invited plenty of passionate people to come along, all of which contributed to the warm, welcoming, celebratory atmosphere.
Once everyone had taken their seats, the gathered guests were joined by our Founder & Chair of Trustees, Dr Olivia Chapple, designer of Horatio’s Garden Wales, Sarah Price, and Head Gardener Owen Griffiths. Each of them relished the opportunity to chat with those who joined us for the afternoon, whilst they also took turns to say a few words about our sixth stunning sanctuary.
As well as discussing the thoughtful, fully accessible design, the three also talked about how the beautiful garden and the workshops organised by the charity will help to support people as they adjust to, or care for someone with, a life-changing spinal cord injury.
Naturally, everyone was enormously engaged as Olivia, Sarah and Owen all offered their unique insights into the world of Horatio’s Garden Wales and we’re as visibly filled with joy at the prospect of the garden now being there for patients, their loved ones and NHS staff.
Isabel Graham spoke too on behalf of the Wales Fundraising Group, giving her thanks to everyone who had kindly attended and expressing how grateful she was to her fellow group members for all their hard work.
After Isabel’s speech came to a close, Amanda Harris also took to the stage, not only telling guests more about her current adventure to navigate all 871 miles of the Welsh Coast Path to raise money for Horatio’s Garden Wales and Rookwood SpUR, but also offering her perspective as a former patient of the spinal centre. She emphasised just how vital the sanctuary will be to patients spending time at University Hospital Llandough and shared that it would be a lifeline to people’s families and friends too.
With so many people enthusiastically wishing to support our sixth sanctuary, plenty of guests took the time to enter the event’s fabulous raffle, all the while enjoying a little music from singing group Harmonyz, who kindly joined us for the event too.
Those who spent the afternoon with us weren’t alone in their desire to help the charity either, with the event generously supported by Hugh James, Alison Bentley Flowers and Trustmark.
Cari Sowden-Taylor, Partner at Hugh James shared, “We are extremely proud to sponsor the launch of Horatio’s Garden Wales. It was a wonderful afternoon celebrating a fantastic charity and we’re looking forward to patients and staff at the spinal centre being able to enjoy the beautiful garden.”
Alison Bentley and Trustmark too were thrilled to have been involved with the event. All the stunning flowers were gathered and arranged by the former, whilst the latter generously printed both the table numbers for the event and leaflets about the upcoming opening of Llanover Garden, which will be raising money for Horatio’s Garden Wales too.
It was an absolute pleasure to celebrate with everyone at Miskin Manor and we’re so grateful to all those who joined us for helping the make the opening of our sixth garden even more memorable.
Generously supported by
