Celebrity Tommy Walsh officially opened a new garden at a children’s hospice in Newham helped by The Garden Centre Group and the charity Greenfingers.

Thanks to 130 centres in The Garden Centre Group and Greenfingers, which creates gardens at children’s hospices, the garden at Richard House Children’s Hospice in Beckton has been transformed.

Peter Ellis, Chief Executive of Richard House Children’s Hospice, said: “We are deeply grateful to the staff and customers at the garden centres nationwide who raised more than �32,000 to help pay for the garden.

“The additional therapeutic support offered by having a well constructed and thoughtful space our garden offers is very much appreciated by children, young people, their families as well as staff, volunteers and visitors of Richard House.”

Tommy Walsh, a patron of Richard House Children’s Hospice, and Martin Phillips, Regional Support Manager for The Garden Centre Group, declared the garden open and cut the ceremonial ribbon together.

Martin added: “We are thrilled we have been able to raise enough money to allow Greenfingers to create the garden at Richard House Children’s Hospice.

“We are delighted we can help such a worthwhile charity and we have been overwhelmed by the support our customers have given us with our various fundraising initiatives.”

Greenfingers was launched in November 1998 by a group of volunteers drawn from all sectors of the gardening industry.

Growers, plant breeders, retailers, manufacturers and a host of gardening journalists and celebrities have willingly contributed materials, time and expertise to create gardens at children’s hospices around the UK. To date Greenfingers has created 34 gardens.