Wellbeing gardens become a reality Sheffield Hospitals Charity is proud to have reached £100,000 towards its flagship ‘Secret Garden’ Appeal – the latest major milestone for the charity. The charity is keen to thank the people, communities and businesses of Sheffield, South Yorkshire and beyond for their generous support which has helped them to reach the £100,000 mark. Without that generosity it would be impossible to turn the project into a reality. With work starting shortly on the project, reaching this milestone will come as a real boost and will be a major step in transforming the currently derelict piece of land at the heart of the Northern General Hospital into a stunning wellbeing sanctuary for staff, patients and their loved ones to use all year round. However, there is additional good news: when Sheffield Hospitals Charity first launched the ‘Secret Garden’ appeal, it promised that this would be the first of a number of satellite outdoor projects that the charity would provide across all five Sheffield Teaching Hospitals campuses – and the charity is proud to announce that it has also completed the first of these projects. This week, the charity’s Chief Executive, Gareth Aston, was delighted to be joined by Chris Morley (Chief Nurse, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals) and Jane Fisher (Research Support Manager) in opening the newly refurbished rooftop garden at Weston Park Cancer Hospital’s Cancer Clinical Trials Centre. The new space will allow staff to have access to a much needed outdoor area, giving them the breathing space to have time out of the hospitals. Speaking at the opening of the new rooftop garden, Chris Morley said: “Outdoor space is so important for staff members who work busy shifts and sometimes need that calming, relaxing space to unwind and grab a breath of fresh air. What the charity’s funding has been able to provide is something that is truly stunning and will make an enormous difference to all of the staff at the Weston Park Cancer Clinical Trials Centre.” Jane Fisher said: “Our thanks go to the charity for providing the funding to allow us to transform this space. Staff have already started to use it on breaks, at lunchtimes and even to book meetings and it will give all of us somewhere really special to go and enjoy the beautiful views and the fresh air.” Whilst celebrating reaching the £100,000 mark towards its ‘Secret Garden’ appeal, there is still much work to be done to help turn this project – and the other outdoor projects – into a reality. The charity is continuing to raise funds and every penny will count in giving staff and patients the facilities that they need. Gareth Aston said: “First of all, we are thrilled to reach the £100,000 mark and we have been bowled over by the generosity of the people of Sheffield and South Yorkshire – so thank you to everyone! It has allowed us to reach this landmark, and it has also allowed us turn spaces like the Cancer Clinical Trials Centre’s rooftop garden into a stunning area. “But we want to do more, we want to give the staff, patients and visitors the access to even more outdoor spaces starting with our flagship ‘Secret garden’. So please, if you want to support this incredible project, every penny really does count.” If you want to donate or get involved in Sheffield Hospitals Charity’s Secret Garden Appeal, please find all the information about the project at: https://www.sheffieldhospitalscharity.org.uk/Appeal/secret-garden-project