Huge raffle launched in support of Horatio's Garden

The Salisbury charity runs a network of gardens for spinal injury patients

The garden at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Unit at SDH opened back in 2012
Author: Faye TryhornPublished 18th Mar 2022

A Salisbury based charity is hoping to raise thousands of pounds towards their work with spinal injury patients, through a huge raffle.

Horatio's Garden, which first set up at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre at Salisbury District Hospital, is holding the prize draw for the second time.

Last year, it raised a total of £20,000 for the charity.

Horatio's Garden now has six outdoor spaces across the country - including Salisbury's - with fundraising underway for a seventh in Northern Ireland and an eighth in Sheffield now in the planning stages.

The Horatio's Garden at Salisbury District Hospital

HOW DOES HORATIO'S GARDEN HELP?

The green spaces are put into hospitals for spinal injury patients and their families who are likely to spend months on end there for treatment.

They're designed to be a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the wards, while also giving those patients further along with their recovery an activity to get involved with.

Former patient Ollie said:

“It’s a wonderful place to spend recovery. The garden is a lovely place to relax in and watch the wildlife pass by, as well as to sit and chat to other patients. It made my recovery a lot easier.”

The charity was founded by the parents of Bishopstone teenager Horatio Chapple in 2012, in his memory.

He often volunteered at the Salisbury District Hospital spinal unit and it was his vision before he died to create a space for patients to use.

Salisbury is the home of the very first Horatio's Garden, which aims to give spinal injury patients some outdoor space to relax in during long hospital stays

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

The Spring Raffle will be running online until Monday 18th April, with 60 prizes up for grabs.

They range from John Lewis vouchers, to garden furniture, and from magazine subscriptions to stays in a luxury hotel in north Wales.

Tickets cost £5 each.

You can buy them directly from the Horatio's Garden website.

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