The project was to transform a rather bland piece of land next to Manchester Children's Hospital into a garden that could be enjoyed by staff, patients and family, a communal space that would inspire courage, bring joy, supply hope and provide love.

So individual members of Alan's team tackled each of these four themes in a garden that overall measured approximately 1100 sq. metres, and the one that GardenSite was most interested in was David Domoney's garden of hope.

This is because it featured the Katie Round Picnic Table that we donated. Made by Zest 4 Leisure from top quality timber and seating four adults or eight children, the table is beautifully designed and solidly made - perfect for eating outside and making the most of your garden or catering for children's parties.

Lorry loads of soil had to be imported to create landscaping and raised beds, together with screens and hedging. Height and structure was added by the Carousel Garden Pergola from Grange, its circular shape broken up by cross beams from which hanging baskets can be displayed.

Katie Round Picnic Table
Katie Round Picnic Table

Hundreds of plants and giant toadstools provided vibrancy along with a multi-coloured plastic roof that was attached to the top of the pergola, this used sunlight to project a rainbow effect onto the surrounding area.

The garden of hope's purpose was to bring families together and the picnic table along with the pergola and other features will certainly achieve this objective while forming part of a larger garden that will appeal to all ages.