A special therapy garden for stroke patients at Pendle Community Hospital has received a boost thanks to a generous contribution from the Freemasons.
Burnley and Pendle Freemasons have donated £1,000 to the East Lancashire Hospitals’ Integrated Stroke Therapy Service towards the hospital garden, which was created for patients receiving therapy after a stroke.
The sheltered garden, which is accessible via the hospital, will feature planting beds, a greenhouse and comfortable seating where patients can relax and enjoy the Pendle climate.
Sue Targett, Stroke Therapy Team Manager at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, was delighted with the donation: “We can’t thank the Freemason’s enough for their wonderful gesture which will help us make the therapy garden even better for patients.”
“Gardening can be an excellent way for people to get their life back after a stroke.
“Horticultural therapy has been proven to build strength and stamina, relax muscles, improve balance and movement, burn calories and provide a feel-good effect which can be vital during long hospital stays and ongoing therapy.”
John Wilkinson, District Communications Officer for Burnley and Pendle Freemasons, said: “We are very pleased that our donation will support further development of the garden. It is a wonderful space for patients to work in and enjoy while continuing their recovery from serious illness.”
Denise Gee, Fundraising Manager for hospital charity ELHT&me, said: “We are grateful to Burnley and Pendle Freemasons for their generous contribution and we have now launched our Christmas Appeal to provide even more open space for patients in hospital with a children’s play area at the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital.”
In the picture above: Integrated Stroke Therapy Manager Sue Targett receives a £1,000 cheque from (left-to-right) Mike Lawson (Freemasons Royal Lancashire Lodge No. 116 Member, left), Trevor Pickles (Freemasons Charity Steward and Royal Lancashire Lodge No.116), East Lancashire Lead for Stroke and Neuro Rehab Sian Davies and Walter Coupe (Freemasons, Burnley & Pendle District Charity Steward