Serenity Garden Follow Up

Volunteers of all ages turned out in force to help create the new Serenity Garden at East Cheshire Hospice.

Thanks to their efforts, almost 1,000 plants are now growing in a courtyard transformed into a floral haven for patients and visitors.

Tons of compost created from green bin collections had already been brought to the site as part of the charity’s eco-friendly initiative.

StairBox staff on a 20-mile walk through the Peak District. 

Bollington families then joined regular gardening volunteers and corporate helpers from StairBox to put in the shrubs, herbaceous perennials and grasses.

Garden designer and maker Ben Darlington, The Wild Gardener, who designed the garden and is supervising the project, said: “I want to say a big thank you to all involved in helping.

“The work would have taken a single gardener more than two weeks, so the volunteer effort represents a huge saving to the Hospice.

“The aim is to create a garden that looks good all-year round, so rather than a single grand explosion of colour, it’s more of a quietly beating backing track that patients and families can enjoy whatever the month.”

The finishing touches due in the autumn are six small trees, lots of bulbs for spring interest, and a bench for moments of reflection.

Macclesfield company Lawn Stripes and Hedges have also been heavily involved in the project, including raising funds.

Hospice Corporate Fundraiser Lisa Ball said: “It was a pleasure to have StairBox employees here for a  volunteering day. They certainly had a shock when they saw thousands of plants which needed planting!

StairBox staff on a 20-mile walk through the Peak District. 

“We couldn’t have done this project without them and can’t wait to see the garden flourish. Patients and their families will now be able to enjoy a beautiful garden.”

In addition, StairBox employees raised more than £2,000 for the Hospice from a 20-mile Ultimate Peak District Walking Challenge, a total the company will match-fund.

Meanwhile, as part of the charity’s environmental drive it is appealing for help to buy solar panels for its Millbank Drive site.

Each roof panel costs £562.50 and any surplus donations will be put towards the Hospice’s general running costs. To donate visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/solar-panel-campaign.

The requirement for Hospice services is also expected to increase in the next few years due to more complexity at end-of-life.

Installing solar panels will mean more future donations will go directly to patient care.