The Countess of Radnor becomes President of Horatio’s Garden

The Countess of Radnor is to become the first President of Horatio’s Garden.

The Wiltshire-based charity creates beautiful and vibrant gardens in NHS centres for people after spinal injury.

The Countess has been founding Patron of the charity since its inception in 2013 following the opening of the first Horatio’s Garden at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre at Salisbury District Hospital.

Horatio’s Garden is the legacy of Horatio Chapple. His volunteer research formed the ethos of the charity, which now nurtures the well-being of thousands of patients, families, and NHS staff throughout the UK.

Lady Radnor’s long-term support has ranged from hosting multiple events at her home, Longford Castle in Wiltshire, and, most recently, opening Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland, the charity’s seventh UK garden.

As President, she will represent the charity, help further the charity’s aims and promote appeals and initiatives.

Lady Radnor said: “What a huge honour it has been to be asked to be President of Horatio’s Garden. The charity means so very much to me personally and watching it move from strength to strength over the years has given so much to so many, never forgetting this vision was the concept of a seventeen year old boy. Thank you to everyone who contributes in ANY way possible and thank you to the charity for giving me a role to live up to.”

Dr Olivia Chapple, Founder and Chair of Trustees of Horatio’s Garden said: “We are enormously grateful for Lady Radnor’s incredible patronage and her family’s unwavering support of the charity over the last twelve years. We are delighted that she will be taking up the role of President at this vital time for the charity to help us to achieve our vision of a future where no one has a spinal injury without access to a Horatio’s Garden.”

Horatio’s Garden won Best in Show at last year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show for its immersive and accessible show garden designed by Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg. This year, the charity returns to Chelsea with a stand selling its beautiful selection of bestselling merchandise on Cross Way. It will be the charity partner of Belgravia in Bloom festival from 20-27th May.

Horatio’s Garden South West, designed by Cleve West, opens to the public for a private tour led by its head gardener on 23 May and for an event in support of the National Garden Scheme on 8th June. Find out more at www.horatiosgarden.org.uk/events