Mum Susanna Foy, visited the gardens with her son Teddy, who uses Derian House services, and his sister Pippa. She said: “We had such a wonderful day with Teddy and Pippa. Teddy is currently a Derian House child as he was born very poorly, but is much better now. He really enjoyed meeting Tallulah the therapy dog and her owner Claire. Pippa loved the bubbles and both of them made a beautiful flower crown.”
Gill Rabbett, Events and Legacies Marketing Coordinator at Derian House, said: “It was lovely to welcome our supporters, and their furry friends, back to the hospice to enjoy our first open gardens event of the year.
“Gareth and his team of volunteer gardeners work tirelessly all year round to keep the hospice grounds looking beautiful so it’s nice to be able to show off their hard work. Thanks to our suppliers and performers who made the day really special. It was lovely to see families having fun together in the gardens and supporting their local children’s hospice.”
Derian House, based in Chorley, Lancashire, cares for more than 400 babies, children, young people and their families from across the North West and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It will cost £6m to run services at Derian House in 2023, and so the charity relies on the generosity of its supporters for 70p in every £1. Find out more: www.derianhouse.co.uk
5. ‘Flower Fest’ at Derian House
Throughout the day, visitors had the chance to speak to Gareth the Gardener, Derian’s dedicated volunteers, and explore the hospice grounds including the seaside garden, the smile park playground, the sensory garden, the family woodland counselling pod, and the infinity pool water feature within the reflection area which has pebbles bearing the names of children who came to the hospice. Photo: submit
6. ‘Flower Fest’ at Derian House
Tallulah the therapy dog wearing her flower necklace with owner Claire. Photo: submit
7. ‘Flower Fest’ at Derian House
Nine-year-old entrepreneur and fundraiser, Edgar Johnson, sold his own “Famly Fuit” pots and held a raffle to raise money for Derian House at the event. Photo: submit
8. ‘Flower Fest’ at Derian House
Guests could design their own flower crowns in a workshop run by florist and Derian House parent, Naomi Moazzeny, of Blossom and Bloom in Chorley. Photo: submit