Two hospice patients had their dreams come true as they were invited to the Chelsea Flower Show this week.
Sam Lucas and Emma Pancha were joined by St Christopher’s Hospice staff members Jarmila Whiteley, Lorna Pearce and Emily Fisher on ‘preview day’ at the world famous show.
They got an exclusive look at this year’s gardens as they represented hospice care at the Hospice UK ‘Garden of Compassion’ and were photographed with St Christopher’s ambassador, comedian Tom Allen, as well as with Hospice UK’s ambassador, Gloria Hunniford.
Tom had met Sam and Emma, as well as Lorna and Jarmila, a few weeks earlier when the comedian joined them for a session of painting ‘Together Pebbles’ which were included in Hospice UK’s garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Sam, 54, from Peckham, said going to Chelsea was on her bucket list and decorated her wheelchair with flowers especially for the occasion.
When told she would be attending, she said: “Oh my god, you’ve made my life.”
Afterwards, she added: “I had a truly magical day. I think we all did. After watching Chelsea on the BBC twice a day for 30 years, it was incredibly special to see it all in the flesh.
“And we were treated to a cavalcade of celebrities all day so that added a fun dimension. I got to meet a few of my gardening heroes so that was really cool. But there’s only one quote of the day from me and it’s still echoing around my head, ‘David Tennant touched my hat!”
Dozens of public figures were at the preview day on Monday, including actor Tennant, David Beckham as well as the King and Queen.
Designed by multi award-winning designer Tom Hoblyn, Hospice UK’s Garden of Compassion celebrates the important role played by hospice gardens in end of life care across the UK.
The garden has been fully-funded by Project Giving Back, a unique grant-making charity that provides funding for gardens for good causes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Following the show, the garden will be relocated to St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham, a location which has inspired Tom’s design, where it will be a place for comfort and contemplation for patients, families and staff.
