Wrexham Charity Appeals to Gardening Enthusiasts to Donate Spare Plants

GARDENERS across North Wales are being encouraged to donate any spare plants or cuttings they may have to a hospice’s plant sale next month.

Green-fingered volunteer gardeners and patients have already been busy planting seeds and cultivating a huge variety of quality plants in preparation for the sale on Tuesday, 5 July between 10am – 3pm at Nightingale House Hospice, Chester Road, Wrexham.

It is hoped that garden lovers who have any surplus plants will be able to donate them in time for the sale, to raise much needed funds for those with life-limiting illnesses including cancer, motor neurone disease and heart failure.

The gardens at the hospice are a huge part of the holistic approach to care for both in-patients and day patients. Day care services went virtual during the pandemic but as restrictions are slowly being lifted the hospice team are now able to welcome back patients into the building on Chester Road.

Chris Evans is a volunteer gardener at the hospice and works with a team to keep the grounds well maintained all year round, to ensure patients and their loved ones can experience an oasis of calm when they are accessing services.

Chris said: “The gardens at Nightingale House are important for everyone who comes to the Hospice, as they bring such joy and happiness to patients and their families.

“As restrictions have been lifted, we have been able to get back in the hospice gardens and patients have been helping us pot up plants of all varieties and sizes. It’s very rewarding to get them involved and I think they’ve really embraced the opportunity to be hands-on. It has brought a little bit of normality back to the hospice.

“So many more people took up gardening during lockdown as their gardens became their sanctuaries for peace and reflection. Even those without gardens began to appreciate the benefit of plants with window boxes or by bringing the outdoors inside. The gardens at Nightingale House have always been a hugely important part of what is provided, particularly as many of the rooms overlook the gardens, giving patients the option to sit outside or just open their doors fully onto the grounds.”

It is hoped gardening enthusiasts from across the hospice’s catchment area will flock to the plant sale and pick up some bargains, as well as donating any of their unwanted/surplus plants before the event.

“We hope our plants are a welcome addition, and in turn raise much-needed funds for ongoing services for those with life-limiting illnesses. For any gardeners out there, who have surplus plants we’d be delighted to accept them, no matter what the variety,” added Chris.

Plants will be sold on a first come first served basis, so once they have gone, they’ve gone!

If you have plants to donate, please email: giftshop@nightingalehouse.co.uk or call Nicky or Laura on 01978 316800.