My name is Jeremy and I’m a volunteer gardener at St Giles. The hospice holds a very special place in my heart. It’s where my late wife, Liz, received care and comfort after she was diagnosed with myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer.

When we first came here, I didn’t know what to expect, but a friend told me about St Giles and said “someone will look after you” and that’s exactly what happened. I started bringing Liz for treatment regularly, and one day, while dropping her off, I noticed the hospice’s volunteer gardeners at work. Gardening has always been a passion of mine, so I got chatting with one of them. Before long, I was invited to join the team, and eight years later, I’m still here – helping to keep the gardens beautiful for patients, loved ones, and visitors.

St Giles provided support to me and Liz all the way through to her final days. She died, at home, surrounded by myself and our daughters – that was her wish and St Giles helped make that happen. The team of volunteer gardeners has become like a second family to me. Many of us have lost our partners, and we all found support here. For us, gardening is more than just planting flowers – it’s a way to give back to a place that has given us so much. We love hearing patients and visitors say how much they enjoy the gardens, knowing that something as simple as a flower bed can bring a little peace and joy in difficult times.

As well as volunteering, I also play the Summer Raffle, and I hope you will too. Every ticket sold helps St Giles continue its incredible work, providing care and support to families like mine. Please join me in supporting St Giles by playing the Summer Raffle today. Tickets cost just £1.

Thank you for your support – it means the world to people like me.