A unique garden highlighting the importance of gifts left in wills to help people living with cancer – commissioned by Macmillan Cancer Support – will be exhibited at this year’s RHS Tatton Show.
Garden designer, Rob Hardy, who has 20 years’ experience in the industry, created the design for the legacy garden after being briefed by the cancer charity.
A third of all Macmillan’s vital services are funded by gifts in wills and the garden will celebrate the work of Macmillan and also highlight how important gifts in wills are to the charity, which received over £77.7 million from legacies in 2019.
Rob, who has also lost family and friends to cancer, said: “Macmillan is a fantastic cause and I know first-hand the terrific support they provide to people when they need it most. It’s been a privilege to design their garden and, more importantly, hopefully raise awareness of Macmillan and encourage more people to consider leaving a gift in their will to the charity.
“Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be one of the hardest things people might face. But through this garden I wanted to show how Macmillan Cancer Support is on hand to provide vital emotional, practical and financial help, and how important gifts in wills are to help Macmillan continue supporting people living with cancer.”
Rob will be joined by award-winning landscaper Peter Gregory, from Bury, and up to 10 volunteers who will help build the garden at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park in Cheshire in July.
The garden will have a twisting pathway through the centre and across a reflective pool, which will symbolically illustrate how Macmillan provides support through the often confusing and painful journey of a cancer diagnosis.
Three large sculptural monoliths will represent how one third of Macmillan’s income comes from gifts in wills.
Planting and surfaces will initially be sharp, jagged, dark and brooding, before becoming much more vibrant and then calming around the seating area. There will also be a ‘Legacy Tree’ at the front of the garden to encourage visitors to hang written messages within its branches about their what their lasting legacy will be.
Macmillan has showcased several award-winning legacy gardens at RHS events and other regional flower shows since 2015, scooping silver, gold, people’s choice and best in show accolades.
Rhea Taylor, Macmillan’s Gifts in Wills Officer, added: “One in two people will get cancer in their lifetime, so Macmillan’s many services are needed now more than ever. We hope his beautiful garden will inspire visitors to consider creating their own lasting legacy with a gift in their will to Macmillan to help us do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer.”
RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, near Knutsford, runs from 21st to 25th July and for tickets or further info go to: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-flower-show-tatton-park
For more information on how you can leave a gift in your will to Macmillan Cancer Support visit www.macmillan.org.uk/donate/gifts-in-wills
