The Leukaemia and Intensive Chemotherapy Fund (LINC) is a small local charity supporting leukaemia and blood cancer patients, here in Gloucestershire. In May 2019 LINC proudly opened the LINC Sanctuary Garden within Sandford Park, Cheltenham. The intention was to create a beautiful space where LINC patients, families and staff could retreat to as a place of reflection and beauty.
This beautiful place of sanctuary is now being used by hospital patients to digest health news, wait anxiously whilst a loved one faces treatment or simply as an outdoor space to escape the confines of the hospital. LINC is extremely proud to be able to provide this tranquil space.
As the Sanctuary Garden sits within the public park, it is also being enjoyed by the wider community. Many walk through the garden on the way to work or find a bench to sit and read. The two tree trunks have been beautifully carved into benches with a stunning wood carving of a pair of hands on one end.
LINC is extremely grateful to Mark Sheldon from Cheltenham Borough Council who kindly volunteered his time and designed the garden. The four leaf clover shaped borders sit around the Whish Sisters’ Fountain that was donated to the town in the 1800s to commemorate their 50th anniversary of living in Cheltenham. The perennial planting scheme will hopefully grow and evolve over time.
We would sincerely like the wider community to become involved with this project. LINC will be holding monthly gardening mornings to maintain the borders which will be held on the last Friday of every month. Volunteers can just come along or email the LINC team at ghn-tr.linc@nhs.net for more information.
The LINC Sanctuary Garden will also provide the perfect venue for our charity fundraising. Our first event ‘Finding Sanctuary in the Garden’ will be a wellness event with reflexology, massage and yoga in the Park on Saturday 3 August 10am-noon. We also intend to have Christmas carol singing and a Cheltenham historical walk.
We would very much like you to support this scheme, so if you would like to hear more about the plans, make a donation or volunteer on a planting day, please contact the LINC team on 0300 422 4422 or email claire.charlton2@nhs.net
Registered charity number: 1078183
0 comments on “The Linc Sanctuary Garden”