Hospital staff have invited school children to help transform a garden area for the benefit of cancer patients and their families. 
Pupils from St Giles Primary Academy recently visited Lincoln County Hospital, at the request of staff who wanted to create a new garden for cancer patients to enjoy during their treatment.
As the hospital is often not able to fund such improvements, members of the school’s eco council gave up their playtimes to raise more than £140, they then rolled up their sleeves and spent a morning at the hospital, making over a garden area next to Ingham ward where patients receive chemotherapy treatment.
Hospital housekeepers Edita Kuklyte and Christine Williams helped to arrange the transformation, alongside supplies assistant Samantha Gray whose son is a pupil at the school.
Matron Marie Beck said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome the children to our new project of the hope garden within the oncology department.
“They really enjoyed a morning of planting flowers and learning about plant growth. We also talked about the positive impact the garden will have on our patients and how it will help to lighten their mood whilst having their cancer treatment.”
Teacher Jade Chadburn said: “Everything has gone really well from start to finish. The children have been working hard as a team and have been enthusiastic. They have really made a difference to this area and it is great to know that patients are now going to be able to sit here and benefit from all their effort and care.”
Friends Jersey and Maddison, both aged 10, agreed the morning had been great fun. Maddison said: “I am really looking forward to seeing how it all grows.”
Jersey added: “It’s lovely to know that poorly patients, nurses and doctors will be able to come outside and enjoy the area we have helped to create.”
Marie added: “The children have raised money for the project through their desire to help people which is very inspiring. They are blooming marvellous.
“The patients and staff have loved having their enthusiasm and excitement for the project and this has accelerated our desire to complete the hope garden so that our patients can benefit from it.”