Show me a garden that's bursting into life…

As a garden designer, one of the aspects of my work that always touches me, is the way nature can transform lives. In a stressful world, nature can provide countless benefits to our sense of wellbeing. The simple pleasure of a flower in bloom, or a singing bird, can lift the spirit. I am raising funds to be able to transform community spaces by filling them with plants and wildlife, and helping bring people together, for each other, and for their communities. My fundraising is all about people, plants and places. And I'm starting with a charity close to my heart.

Leicester Animal Aid in Huncote is an amazing charity that helps the community in so many ways. They find homes for animals and care for those nobody wants. They support pet owners who are struggling to cope, and have an outreach programme for elderly people who may be feeling lonely or isolated, providing a helping hand with dog walking or home improvements, or simply some company.

I am helping LAA transform a wasted piece of ground at their centre into a therapy garden. The garden is being built entirely by volunteers, and will include an outdoor shelter/classroom, composting facilities, a wildlife pond, birdwatching hide and quiet areas for some 'me time' for the staff and visitors. It will be a space for children to come and learn and connect with the outdoors. It will be a garden for people with anxiety or depression to come and work with the soil, to talk, or find solace. It will be a retreat for the staff of the centre who have to deal with some very harrowing situations involving the animals they love so much. Mars Petcare have kindly donated money for the building work and have already made a huge difference, but I would like to ask for your help to put a little bit of greenery into the garden.

I am on a mission to plant as many plants as possible, that will be good for people, and brilliant for wildlife. It's not a big ask. A donation of £5 will cover the cost of a perennial plant. £20 will donate a shrub. Your gift will grow and add so much value to the space. Please help me create beautiful places for people and nature to help each other. Thank you.