Do you love gardening and want to help support the NHS?

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs King George hospital in Ilford, is seeking gardening volunteers.

The trust, which also runs Queen’s Hospital in Romford, wants volunteers to help tend to Queen’s lavender garden.

Ken Crowther, who hosts a weekly gardening podcast on BBC Essex radio, paid a visit to the lavender garden on Tuesday, October 8 to back the appeal.

Ken, who also once hosted TV show, Gardeners’ Diary, said: “I’ve been a gardener for my entire career and the satisfaction you get from gardening, being able to look back at your own work, is wonderful. And it’s even more satisfying if you’re helping to maintain a garden which brings comfort to patients and staff at a hospital.

“The lavender garden is really well designed, with lots of soft grasses which give it some movement. Just sitting in a garden enjoying the peace can do wonders for the mind.

“It’s good for you and good for others which is why I’d encourage local gardeners to come forward and support the charity to maintain the garden. It would be great if a local company would come forward to sponsor it too!”

If you think you could help look after the Lavender Garden, get in touch with Lynda Head on 01708 504322, or via email: lynda.head@nhs.net.