A veteran Windsor Castle gardener is helping create an oasis of calm and peace for patients at the new hospice being built at Bray Lake at Maidenhead.

Hospice care is a cause close to the heart of retired royal gardener Graham Stone.

He said: “When you’re with your loved one in their final moments of life, having access to green space and calmness around you is vital. I also believe it’s important for the well-being of hospice staff and volunteers to work in an environment where they can step outside, take time out and recharge. I am honoured to be supporting Thames Hospice’s fundraising appeal and very excited to be helping to oversee the landscaping project and ongoing maintenance of the hospice gardens."

The new hospice is set in eight acres of beautiful countryside overlooking the lake and will replace the existing hospice at Hatch Lane, Windsor.

The 'grow our gardens' fundraising campaign has been launched to raise £700,000 to buy the plants, flowers and trees needed to create 10 different lush, beautiful gardens for the first patients when the new facility opens in a few months’ time.

Debbie Raven, chief executive Thames Hospice, said: “The new hospice building and our amazing staff will of course both be fundamental to providing the highest quality of care. But to give our patients and their loved ones the chance to enjoy their remaining months, weeks or even days together to the fullest, that’s where the gardens will play their role.

“With the hospice build almost complete, we are now focussed on creating the very best gardens in our community, offering local families a place of vibrant life and colour as well as peace and tranquillity.”

David Waugh, a patient who is currently accessing the services at Thames Hospice, said: “I think what we get from gardens is highly personal. I hope I’ll be here to experience these new gardens for myself.”

The website www.raisetheroof2020.org.uk/gardens is now live for donations.