Gardens Open for Hospiscare

This year Hospiscare celebrates its 10th anniversary of Open Gardens. Hospiscare’s Open Gardens Programme runs from the start of May through to October 2014.

Members of the public open their gardens for others to enjoy, as they sit back and relax, or take tips for their own gardens. Some serve homemade refreshments, offer plant and book stalls and even entertainment.  Entry and donations to the gardens raise funds for local end of life care charity, Hospiscare.

Among those taking part is Sharon Rehbock from Budleigh Salterton.

Sharon was inspired to take part in Hospiscare’s Open Gardens Programme after spending lots of time visiting gardens with her sister, Lesley. After Lesley was diagnosed with terminal cancer Sharon and Lesley found that visiting gardens offered them the chance to relax and enjoy precious time together.

Sharon and Lesley were inspired to open their garden for Hospiscare after the care Lesley received at the hospice. They planned to open Sharon’s garden to the public, sadly Lesley died before she could take part, but Sharon was determined to carry on.

Sharon rallied around her neighbours in Budleigh Salterton and asked them to take part as well. In the first year she had 10 people open their garden for Hospiscare, raising a staggering £5000 over the weekend.

Sharon said: ‘’After the success and fun we had we thought we would carry on fundraising and we now have a group of 16 gardens for this year’s programme!’’

‘’Open Gardens could not be for a better cause. The care was so much more specific and helpful than the general care we had experienced – it gave us all the support we needed, at the time we needed it most.’’

Budleigh Salterton Open Gardens weekend takes place on the 28th and 29th of June with all gardens open from 11am – 4pm. Entry is £5 which includes all 16 gardens.

To find out about open gardens in your local area pick up a booklet from your local Hospiscare shop, or local garden centre or have a look through the booklet available on the Hospiscare website www.hospiscare.co.uk.