A new memorial garden at Royal Preston Hospital has been opened by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity to honour organ donors and those who lost their lives in the Covid-19 pandemic.

The project was made possible thanks to a generous £100,000 grant from NHS Charities Together, which helped fund memorial gardens at both Chorley and South Ribble Hospital and Royal Preston Hospital, along with £5,000 from the Medicash Foundation and £1,000 from David Wilson Homes.

The gardens were designed to remember not only those lives which were sadly lost during the pandemic, but also those who have given the precious gift of life, highlighting the importance of organ and tissue donation across the region.

The tranquil space will also serve as an extra place on site for quiet contemplation and reflection to be used for the benefit of all staff, patients, and visitors – somewhere to come together to remember, relax and recharge.

Dan Hill, Head of Hospital Charities, said: “We are thrilled to see the finished garden and beautiful memorial tree and want to express a huge thank you to NHS Charities Together and everyone who has contributed to make this project possible. Our main aim was to create a lasting tribute to honour and remember those we have lost and show our gratitude to those who have given the gift of life to others. Our charity team are confident that this memorial garden will do just that whilst also providing a haven at the heart of the hospital for staff and patients who want a quiet space for peaceful contemplation.”

Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive at NHS Charities Together, said: “In the wake of Covid-19, NHS staff are under more pressure than ever before – and having spaces where they can rest and reflect in between busy shifts can make a huge difference to their overall health and wellbeing. We are so pleased we could help create this memorial garden at Lancashire Teaching Hospital, together with the hospital charity and the generous support of the public. It really will make a big difference not just to staff but to the patients they support – and of course is a beautiful way to honour lives lost during the pandemic.”

A special thank you everyone who got involved with this project in one way or another, to learn more about this project, its supporters and the impact it will have, follow the link to our news section…