Local children’s hospice opens their gardens for community to enjoy

On Sunday 18 August, Shooting Star Children’s Hospices is opening their beautiful gardens at their Guildford hospice, Christopher’s, for the local community to enjoy.

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, which may be formerly known to locals as CHASE, provides specialist care and support to families who have a baby, child or young person with a life-limiting condition, or who have been bereaved, across Surrey, south-west London and north-west London.

The garden is being opened to the public for the second year as part of the National Garden Scheme. Having been specifically designed for children with life-limiting conditions in mind, it features adapted play equipment and sensory trails. There are also peaceful open areas for families to sit and reflect.

In 2022, Shooting Star Children’s Hospices was delighted to welcome a stunning garden courtesy of wealth-management company Brewin Dolphin. The garden was donated and repurposed from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show silver-medal-winning Brewin Dolphin Garden that award-winning garden designer, Paul Hervey-Brookes designed with sustainability at its heart.

Originally set up in 1927 to support district nurses, the National Garden Scheme now raises millions of pounds for nursing and health charities each year.

Shooting Star will also be joined on the day by The Worshipful Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Sallie Barker MBE, marking her first visit in her official capacity as the Mayor of Guildford.

Christopher’s garden, which will be open from 12– 5pm, is extremely accessible and full of fun equipment to be used and enjoyed by visitors. Plus, there will be delicious refreshments available. For more information and tickets please visit: www.shootingstar.org.uk/ngs.