Memorial garden opens after £20k fundraiser

Lee Clarke wanted to transform the Amethyst Ward garden at the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby

A new garden in memory of a patient who died of cancer has opened following a £20,000 fundraiser.

Lee Clarke was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2020 and spent time in the Amethyst Ward at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby before he died at the age of 50 in February 2022.

His family and friends organised a fundraising day before his death and it was Mr Clarke's wish for the money to be put towards transforming the ward's garden.

His friend Emma Wright said they wanted to create a "nice sanctuary" for patients and their families that would be "somewhere to reflect".

A new path and a shelter have been installed as part of the revamp

Mr Clarke spent a lot of time in the Amethyst Ward's garden – a place Ms Wright described as "dilapidated" and "really overgrown".

"It was unloved and uncared for, it really did make it a miserable place," she added.

A total of £20,000 was raised from a fundraising day in Mr Clarke's memory and events like the London Marathon and National Three Peaks.

The garden's revamp includes a new accessible path, a shelter, children's play equipment and a chalk board.

The Health Tree Foundation also helped with two garden murals - one of Grimsby's Dock Tower and one of Pier 39, one of Mr Clarke's favourite places.

The garden also features a bench dedicated to Mr Clarke

Ms Wright said the garden had a rainbow theme to symbolise optimism and bring "tranquillity and happiness" to the area.

She described Mr Clarke as a "big, larger-than-life character who was very social and always telling a joke".

She added: "I'm hoping people will sit in the garden and enjoy the space, what it brings to them and a few peaceful moments away from what they're going through."

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