Caitlin McLaughlin took the gold medal in the Young Designer category
St Barnabas Hospice in Louth is set to receive a garden overhaul from RHS Young Designer winner
Local independent charity St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice is set to receive a donation of a garden which won the gold medal for the Young Designer of the Year award at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park.
The garden entitled ‘Nature and Nurture’ is set to be installed at the flagship day hospice in Louth and combines green spaces for human health and wellbeing with nature conservation.
Caitlin McLaughlin, 26, from Northamptonshire chose to donate the garden after St Barnabas Hospice cared for her friend Jane McCarthy, in her final days.
Caitlin said: “It is a real pleasure to be able to donate my show garden as a memorial garden for our dear family friend Jane. I really wanted to do something in her memory and to bring comfort to others in the hospice that may need a garden space to relax in.
“My garden for Tatton Park takes the RHS theme which is Health, Happiness and Horticulture and combines it with my interest in nature conservation.
“I’m thrilled to win Gold and the Young Designer of the Year award. It’s been a challenge to get here but I’m so happy all my hard work has paid off.”
St Barnabas is the principal provider of end-of-life care across East Lindsey and has run Louth Hospice on Grimsby Road since it first opened its doors to clients more than two years ago.
Nicky Ingall, General Manger for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, said:
“We are absolutely thrilled that Caitlin has chosen to donate her stunning and award winning garden to our hospice. It will be a welcome addition to our outdoor space and I am confident that it will be enjoyed by our patients and their families and our staff and volunteers.
“Having access to outdoor space is really important to the health and wellbeing of our patients and studies show that it has therapeutic benefits and encourages relaxation.
“We are looking forward to the garden being completed and inviting our local community in to enjoy it.”
The garden will be installed at the Louth hospice site from 28th July before being officially opened in September.