Celebrity supporters visit the Sue Ryder Grief Kind Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024

The Sue Ryder Grief Kind Garden has been designed by Katherine Holland and is generously sponsored by Project Giving Back, the unique grant-giving charity that funds gardens for good causes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

ITV Emmerdale star and Sue Ryder Ambassador, Lisa Riley said:

“I am proud to be supporting the Sue Ryder Grief Kind Garden in my ambassador role. Roses were my mum’s favourite flower and often trigger sensory memories of my wonderful mum and feelings of grief. This garden will provide a safe space for people to talk about and acknowledge these tough moments.

“I hope the Sue Ryder Grief Kind Garden will not only help those who are grieving, but also provide a framework of understanding for those who are supporting someone who has been bereaved, by raising awareness of what good grief support looks like.”

The Sue Ryder Ambassadors were quickly followed by TV presenter, Kate Garraway, who visited the garden alongside her parents.

TV presenter, Kate Garraway said:

“When I heard about the Sue Ryder Grief Kind Garden and the wider Grief Kind campaign, I thought how wonderful it is. Everyone reacts to grief differently and I am very much in the early stages of mine with Derek, but there is no doubt we all would benefit from understanding grief more and being kind to those going through bereavement.

“I hope this garden encourages everyone to be Grief Kind and help us all to support each other better and raise awareness of the bereavement support available through Sue Ryder.”

The Press Day concluded with a short visit from Queen Camilla to the garden, which she described as ‘so peaceful and lovely.’

The Sue Ryder Grief Kind Garden will remain at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show until Saturday for visitors to experience its beauty and serenity for themselves.

Following the show, the garden will be relocated in its entirety to Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice in Bedford. Its new location will provide a long-lasting legacy, as a dedicated space for grieving. It will be able to accommodate varying mobility needs and offer a place of solace for hospice staff, patients, their families and the local community.

Every year, the public can vote for their favourite gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The winning gardens will be awarded a highly sought-after BBC / RHS People's Choice Award.

Just a moment of your time could help us win this award and share our Grief Kind message to make sure no one has to face death or grief alone.