Menu
Donate

Vandals strike Sue Ryder hospice grounds ahead of Spring fundraising fayre

21 Mar 2024
Image of hand-sewn cushions thrown in Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice's lake

Staff, volunteers and supporters of Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice were left reeling this morning after arriving to find its grounds had been vandalised overnight.

Hospice staff arriving to work early in the morning discovered totem poles, which had been created and painted to record the life stories of patients whilst in the care of the hospice, upended and thrown into the hospice’s lake.

Alongside them, hand-sewn cushions donated by the hospice’s volunteer sewing group to be placed in an arbour overlooking the lake providing a safe space for patients, families, volunteers and staff to quietly sit.

Elise Hoadley, Service Director at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice said:

“It is quite unbelievable that we have suffered such mindless vandalism within our peaceful hospice grounds. Our gardens provide sanctuary for our patients, families, volunteers and supporters, and those who come here to remember loved ones we have cared for.

“Our grounds are lovingly tended to by a team of gardening volunteers, and I am so very sorry they had to come in today ahead of making their final preparations for the Spring Fayre to find this mess.”

Elise Hoadley, Service Director at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice

“Not only this, but the senseless act has taken place a few days ahead of our fundraising Spring Fayre – a time when we open our grounds to visitors to come in, enjoy the gardens and help raise vital funds for dying and grieving people who need our charity’s care and support.”

“Our grounds are lovingly tended to by a team of gardening volunteers, and I am so very sorry they had to come in today ahead of making their final preparations for the Spring Fayre to find this mess.”

David Bills, Head Gardener at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, said:

“Instead of focusing on tidying the grounds today, our staff and volunteers have had to work hard fishing items out of our lake and repairing the mindless damage caused. There are nesting ducks on our lake, whose routines would have been disrupted by all of this despite how carefully we have worked.”

Our volunteer gardeners pour their hearts into these gardens, nurturing the garden as it has nurtured the spirits of those in our care. To see it marred in such a way is so disheartening.

David Bills, Head Gardener at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice

“Being greeted by the sight of the vandalised grounds is a stark reminder of the disregard some hold for spaces that mean so much to others. Our volunteer gardeners pour their hearts into these gardens, nurturing the garden as it has nurtured the spirits of those in our care. To see it marred in such a way is so disheartening. Especially at a time when we have been working hard to make sure the grounds look their best for all the visitors we hope to welcome to our Spring Fayre this weekend being held in the hospice grounds.”

Elise added, “Our Spring Fayre on Saturday is a special day in our calendar when we open up our doors to the local community and raise vital funds for families needing our care. I am so glad that thanks to the swift action of our staff and volunteer gardeners we can continue to go ahead with the event after they have worked to put right the wrong which has been done here.”

The vandalism has been reported to Gloucestershire Police and anyone with any information is asked to contact them on 101 quoting incident 158 of 20/03/2024.

Share this page

Do you know someone who would find this helpful?

A nurse in a light blue Sue Ryder uniform smiles at a female patient sat up in a bed.
Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice
We are Gloucestershire’s only inpatient unit for specialist palliative care. You can also be cared for in your own home, or you can visit us for Day Services while living at home. We will help you live the best life you possibly can.
An illustration of two parents with their child, with a stall and trees in the background
Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Spring Fayre 2024
Join us and spend a day in our historic hospice grounds with fun, games, and great food and refreshments for all the family.
A patient is sat up in bed, holding hands with a family member sat next to them. In the foreground is a nurse, talking to them.
Donate
Your donation can help make sure no one has to face death or grief alone.