Not even the blazing sun deterred the group of 16 to 21 year old volunteers from 'The Princes Trust'– who tidied the garden at The Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre in Wisbech, also revamped a courtyard garden area on the same North Cambs Hospital site in Wisbech – during what has been the hottest week of the year so far!
The Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre - an Arthur Rank Hospice Charity service, based at North Cambs Hospital – provides hands-on care and support to hundreds of people living with a life-limiting illness in Wisbech and the Fens.
No charge is made to patients for care.
The Treatment Centre is partly-funded by statutory sources, with a large proportion raised thanks to the dedicated fundraising efforts of the local community.
As well as fundraising for these running costs, the Treatment Centre is currently running an Appeal to raise the final £50,000 needed for urgently needed expansion and development work, due to take place later this year.
Matron at the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre, Michelle Knight, said: “We’re still hard at work, fundraising for the full garden refurbishment here, but in the meantime the work these young people have done this week is fantastic! It means our patients, who are receiving treatment for cancer and other long- term conditions, their families and our staff can use the outside areas and enjoy seeing the plants flourish this summer.”
She adds: “We’ve also had over £100 donated from the Long Sutton Bowls Club towards a water feature for our finished garden. This donation, with other community support we have and continue to receive is heart-warming.”
As well as dedicating their time and efforts this week to the hard graft of tidying, weeding, planting, jet washing and sweeping the garden and courtyard areas, the Prince’s Trust team also raised the funds needed to carry out the work, additionally securing donations of plants, gravel, pots and hanging baskets from local businesses.
Tracy Farrow, sister on Trafford Ward said: “What a wonderful job the Prince’s Trust have done with our ward garden. Thank you very much, it means so much to our patients to have a lovely garden to visit.”
Judi Duffy, the creative activities coordinator at the Centre added: “Our team of nurses are delighted with the hard work, enthusiasm and dedication of this group of young people. The patients have already enjoyed the new look. It’s astounding how much they got done in such a short time.”
There will be an Open Day at the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre (at North Cambs Hospital, Wisbech) on Thursday 5 July, between 11am-4pm, to link in with Wisbech Rose Fair.
Visitors are invited to come along and will be treated to cake stalls, tea and coffee and an exhibition of art by patients who attend Day Therapy.
There will also be an exciting opportunity to see the expansion and development plans for the building, learn more about services provided and admire the garden areas’ make-over following the Prince’s Trust teams’ efforts!