A major project to transform the gardens of a children’s hospital is underway – thanks to the Beechgrove Garden team and a band of green-fingered volunteers.
The Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH) has been chosen by the Beechgrove Garden as one of two sites in the north of Scotland in need of a makeover, and will feature as one of the well-loved TV programme’s community gardens projects this autumn.
The ARCHIE Foundation, the official charity of the hospital, have been fundraising to make the building more friendly for youngsters arriving for treatment, and the new garden will achieve just that – as well as providing recreational space for them to enjoy.
Jim McColl, one of the hosts of the Beechgrove Garden and a columnist for the P&J, said: “It’s a natural fit to feature the gardens here at the children’s hospital.
“We’ve been recording similar projects like this here and there and everywhere all over the country, so we thought, why not do the same in our own back yard?
“The business of being in a hospital can get you down, but this new garden will be a place you can come and get back to reality instead of just sitting in a ward, it will be very therapeutic.”
But the whole project might never have got started without the efforts of north-east Wood Group employees, who have raised more than £100,000 for the cause over the last year.
And not content with just raising the cash, some of the staff have already signed up get their hands dirty by digging, planting and building the garden itself.
Laura Wood, HSE advisor for Wood Group said: “We are passionate about helping people in the communities we work in.
“Employees from across the business are providing their artistic skills, knowledge and green fingers to develop the garden which we believe will enhance the experience of sick children and their families during their time at the hospital.
“We can’t wait to see how it all turns out.”
The ARCHIE Foundation’s director of projects Dave Tipping said: “We’re absolutely over the moon. There’s going to be a variety of different areas within the gardens.
“We’re going to have a sensory garden, an area with raised planting beds, and a more reflective, quiet area to go sit in, and more.
“So to be here now, starting the process, is extremely exciting.”
The Beechgrove Garden episode featuring the RACH project is due to film in the first week of September, and will broadcast soon after.