We were absolutely delighted to be joined by so many people at Larchfield Estate yesterday evening for the official launch of the fundraising appeal for our seventh project, Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland!
With the event attended by over 250 people, the occasion was a wonderful way to meet lots of new supporters, all of whom were incredibly engaged with the charity’s plans to plant hope in the heart of Belfast.
As well as enjoying an evening of drinks and being amongst friends, guests listened intently to Founder & Chair of Trustees, Dr Olivia Chapple, as well as the garden’s award-winning designer, Andy Sturgeon. Both gave speeches to the gathered crowd, with Olivia sharing more about the charity’s work and mission, whilst Andy explained the details of the design.
As Horatio’s Garden will be located at The Spinal Cord Injuries Unit in Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast, the only spinal unit serving the whole of Northern Ireland, it was a pleasure to welcome representatives from Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, all of whom have been fantastically supportive of the project from the very beginning.
Amongst the many enthusiastic attendees was Trevor Edwards too, Area Organiser for the National Garden Scheme in Northern Ireland. Having recently launched in Northern Ireland, it was brilliant to be able to hear all about the National Garden Scheme’s success so far, particularly as the organisation has once again generously pledged to support our seventh project, in addition to committing funding to our past and future gardens.
Avid fans of BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time may also have spotted that we were lucky enough to welcome one of the programme’s regular hosts, Kathy Clugston, to the event. Kathy shared in the joy and promise of the occasion just as much as everyone else, with each person’s passion for Horatio’s Garden simply making for a really lovely evening.
We are enormously grateful to everyone who joined us and to everyone who has helped to support our Northern Ireland garden so far, including all the members of our incredible Northern Ireland Fundraising Group, Ulster Tatler and photographer Brian Thompson, who captured the event perfectly. Our heartfelt thanks also goes to Gavin and Sarah Mackie for kindly hosting the event at Larchfield Estate, as well as to the evening’s generous sponsors, McGuinness Fleck and Cathedral Eye Clinic.
Everyone at Horatio’s Garden is immensely excited to see how the fundraising appeal progresses over the coming months and we can’t wait to return to Northern Ireland again soon!
To find out more about Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland, please watch our Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland Fundraising Appeal Video below
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