Hope House Hospice project boosted by company donation

Galliers Homes, based in Shrewsbury, has presented a cheque for £2,500 to the children's charity, which is building a new sensory garden at its hospice at Morda, near Oswestry.

The hospice made an appeal for funds to help pay for the scheme, which will provide the seriously ill children and young people with an improved facility.

"When we heard about the sensory garden project we met with Hope House staff and were very interested and impressed so agreed to this donation," said Andy Gough, sales and marketing director at Galliers Homes, which builds developments throughout the county and in mid Wales.

"Galliers likes to get involved in community charities, events and activities and this is an ideal opportunity for us to help out one of Shropshire's most worthy causes," he added.

Hope House is about to embark on a project to completely redesign and improve the gardens surrounding the hospice to make a better environment for the children and their families who visit for respite and terminal care.

Hope House fundraising manager Vanessa Thomas said: "The hospice has been open for 20 years and during this time the grounds have been developed in a rather ad hoc manner with no underlying cohesive design.

"Our existing garden area is right outside the children's bedroom windows, with patio doors opening out. The new design, which has been created with the help of the children, will include beds with sensory plants right up to the bedroom doors and paths that are easily travelled by children, wheelchairs and even beds. We can't wait to see the finished result next spring.

"We are so grateful to Galliers Homes for their generous donation towards the project."

Hope House also plans to renovate its 'tranquil garden' which is a secluded and private space adjoining its Snowflake Suite - a special facility is used by bereaved families who come to spend time with their child in the days before their funeral.

Both areas are being created in conjunction with a garden design company who specialise in child-friendly gardens and the budget for the project is £85,000. Work is about to begin, with the planting taking place in November.