Horatio's Garden taking shape at Oswestry hospital

Horatio's Garden will give those in wheelchairs or in the beds the chance to spent time outside and given them and their families a chance to escape the ward.

It is being created at the Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital, one of a handful across the country.

It has been designed by award-winning garden designer, Bunny Guinness, as a beautiful sanctuary.

Building work is well underway with the garden and the frame of the special garden room developing.

It has been named after Horatio Chapple a teenager who, after doing work experience at a spinal ward in Salisbury, wanted to fundraise to built a garden at the hospital.

Tragically Horatio was killed on an expedition to Svalbard when he was mauled by a polar bear. His family decided to carry on his dream of the gardens in his name.

A spokesman for Horatio's garden, Vicky Malcolm, said the Serpentine paths were now being constructed around the garden and the planting areas could now be seen.

"The frame for the garden room is also now up," she said.

"Thank you to all those who have supported us so far. We are now looking to raise money to support the first year’s running costs.

"We also now need help from people who would be willing to volunteer for us.

"Once our gardens open, a team of remarkable volunteers maintain them throughout the year, with the guidance of our wonderful Head Gardeners.

"They also support patients’ physical rehabilitation and mental wellbeing by assisting with the gentle garden and art therapy sessions that the charity organises. Most importantly though, they are always on-hand in the gardens and expertly designed garden rooms to welcome patients and their visitors with tea and cake."

If you are interested in volunteering at the Oswestry garden, please email volunteer@horatiosgarden.org.uk.