In 2014 I sustained a life-changing spinal cord injury in a cycling accident. After a month in the University Hospital of Wales I spent the next 6 months undergoing specialist spinal rehab in the Welsh Spinal Injuries Centre in Rookwood Hospital, Cardiff.

During that time I spent weeks lying flat in a hospital bed, not knowing whether I would ever walk again or how my injury would change my life at home with my husband and 2 young children. It was an immensely difficult and uncertain time.

In amongst the tricky memories of hospital, there are two events that really helped. One was my lovely mum bringing in a small but beautifully fragrant posy of flowers from the garden of her Devon home, instantly triggering memories of my childhood and consequential floods of happy tears. The other, some weeks later, was being wheeled in my hospital bed to the open door of the ward and being able to feel sunshine on my face, watch bumblebees doing what they do best and see flowers and hedgerows blossoming in the summer sun. Just for a moment my worries were gone.

Horatio’s Garden is a very special charity which creates beautiful, fully accessible gardens in NHS spinal injury centres. The gardens offer calm and comfort to patients away from the clinical hospital wards – giving them the space and time to reflect on their new situation and to be with friends and family.

In 2021 the Welsh Spinal Injuries Centre will be moving to Llandough Hospital, Cardiff and Horatio’s Garden new project is to build a wonderful garden alongside the new unit. The fundraising appeal for the garden was launched at the end of last year but unfortunately, Covid-19 has had a significant impact with many planned fundraising events being cancelled, including the Chelsea Flower Show, a bike ride and an opera evening.

To help the appeal I was planning on riding my recumbent trike in 2 fundraising cycle events this year, however, again Covid and lockdown have put pay to that idea. Once again, I, and many others, have been turning to open spaces and gardens for comfort and sanctuary during these troubled times and it seemed fitting that I should therefore ride the equivalent number of miles on rollers in my back garden. 150 miles in total. I feel immensely fortunate to be able to do so and I would be so grateful for any donation you feel able to give to this appeal.

For more information visit https://www.cardiff-times.co.uk/horatios-garden-cardiff-needs-your-help-2/