WEB READY QCH 16pp A4 Winter Newsletter 2024 v9 WEB - Flipbook - Page 4
Volunteer Spotlight
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all the local
businesses who supported the event, as well as everyone
who came along and helped make the day so special.
Queenscourt’s Open Garden
2026 raised over £8,000
Queenscourt’s Open Garden 2026 was a
wonderful success, raising an incredible
£8,156 for your local hospice!
A very special thank you also goes to our wonderful
volunteers. Whether they helped care for the gardens in
preparation for the event or generously gave their time on
the day itself, their hard work, enthusiasm and dedication
make all the di昀昀erence. Our Open Garden event
simply wouldn’t happen without their support.
Events like Queenscourt’s Open Garden
are possible thanks to the support of our
community. The money raised will help us
continue providing vital care and support
to local patients and their families.
Hundreds of people from across the
community joined us to enjoy the gardens
in full bloom and make the most of a
beautiful, sunny day. Visitors were able
to explore the grounds, enjoy delicious
cakes prepared by our catering team
and browse a fantastic selection of plants
available to buy. There were also plenty
of vegetable boxes and tasty berries and
cream on o昀昀er.
Thank you to everyone who helped make
Queenscourt’s Open Garden 2026 such a
fantastic success, and to everyone who
continues to support your local hospice.
Families enjoyed a variety of activities throughout
the day, including visits from our much-loved mascot,
Queenie, children’s story time and the chance to win fantastic
prizes on the tombola. Together, these activities helped
create a fun and memorable event for visitors of all ages.
Thank you to the following businesses and
supporters who donated to the event:
J.A. Jones & Sons, Rathbones, Nationwide Produce
PLC, Flavourfresh, Padway Nurseries, Lavinia Salads,
Elderberries, B&Q, Arriva, Queenscourt Volunteers, Arden Lea,
Happy Plants, Mr Stan Martin, G A Petfood, Matalan Southport,
Morrisons Ormskirk and Friends of Arcon Village.
From a Sketch to a Large Gold Award at the Flower Show
What started with an
idea in April became
something very
special at the 2026
Southport Flower
Show.
The concept for Winds
of Change was initiated
by Queenscourt volunteer
Shelley Lewis Lavender,
who worked with local artist
Samantha Greenhill to develop
her idea before our gardening
volunteers came together to bring the
vision to life.
At the heart of the garden is Willow,
a windswept 昀椀gure handmade over
昀椀ve days using willow gathered from
Queenscourt and volunteers’ own
gardens.
Willow represents the storm that can
enter our lives when someone we love
becomes seriously ill. Her hair and
skirts are bu昀昀eted by the wind,
while the planting around
her becomes calmer
and more tranquil
– representing
Queenscourt as a safe
harbour within the
storm for patients
and families.
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Turning the vision
into reality took
months of
planning,
creativity
and determination.
Our volunteers worked
within strict show
requirements, sourced
plants and faced the
challenge of not knowing,
even in the 昀椀nal week, exactly
what would be in bloom.
With support from local suppliers
and plenty of gardening wisdom
from volunteer Frank, everything
came together and the team’s
hard work was rewarded with a
fantastic Large Gold Award.
For Shelley and the team, Winds of
Change was about much more than an
award. It was a tribute to the hope, love
and care of Queenscourt and the quiet
strength it gives to people during some
of life’s most turbulent times.
A beautiful idea brought to life by an
incredible team of volunteers Shelley,
Sam, Frank, Greg, Terry, Martin,
John, Tony and Eddie and a very
special, award-winning tribute to
Queenscourt.
Left and right: Shelley Lewis Lavender with Samantha Greenhill, a local artist.
