A children’s hospice has scooped a gold medal for its garden after beating competition from across London.

Richard House won the accolade in the small garden category for the second year running at the London Garden Society awards.

The Beckton hospice supports families in London whose children and young adults are a risk from a life-limiting health condition.

The gardens at Richard House feature a combination of open playing space, pathed wooded areas as well as a newly renovated greenhouse and a memorial garden. The space provides a relaxing space for families, children and young adults.

Volunteers, both individuals and from organisations come in on a regular basis to look after the gardens. The award was collected by seventy-year-old gardener Derek James, who has been volunteering for two days a week in the gardens for over five years, at the ceremony at London Guildhall.

Derek said, “It’s great to hear when families appreciate and complement the gardens and to see children and young adults using the grounds. It’s nice for the volunteers to be recognised by this award.”

Peter Ellis, chief executive at Richard House Children’s Hospice, said: “This honour is down to the hard work and dedication put in by all our volunteers who come and look after the gardens for us, from corporate representatives to individuals.”