Forty volunteers completely refurbished a garden space at Kingston Hospital to provide a relaxing area for those being supported by neonatal charity Born Too Soon.
The Garden of Reflection, at the back entrance, will allow people to take some time out of a busy day or stressful situation.
Marks and Spencer funded the £1,000 renovation, and the volunteers were made up of staff from the Kingston store, who had chosen Born Too Soon as their charity for the year.
The team painted fences, replaced trellises, repaved the ground, planted new flowers, installed a Wedndy house and created an interactive mural for children.
Born Too Soon has supported the Neonatal Unit at Kingston Hospital since 1985, providing equipment as well as services that families benefit from while their baby is being cared for there.
Marie Richter, unit matron, said: “We are so grateful to the staff at M&S for their hard work to makeover our garden. The space looks absolutely fantastic and we are all so thankful to them for volunteering their time and donating the funds needed.
“The families supported by Born Too Soon will deeply value this space as somewhere to reflect and relax, as they go through a difficult time in their life. Having a baby who needs to be in a neonatal unit is a tough experience and we hope the garden will offer families some respite.”
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