A Heartfelt Visit: Simon Grosse’s Generous Contribution to Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service 

At Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service, every act of kindness contributes to our mission of providing vital care and support to children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families.  

On Tuesday 27^th August 2024, we were honoured to welcome Simon Grosse, CEO of FSP, and Laura Carey, Group Director Business Operations, to Alexander Devine.

Their visit marked the opening of a beautiful new addition to our grounds: a picnic garden, made possible by Simon’s generous donation. 

The day began in the welcoming atmosphere of our main building, where Simon and Laura joined us for a cup of tea and a slice of what turned out to be a particularly good cappuccino cake!

This provided a lovely opportunity to get members of our various teams together, all of whom will benefit from this garden, and express our gratitude to Simon in-person. It allowed a free-flowing discussion about how much this new garden space means to the children and families who will use it in the months and years to come.  

Simon’s decision to fund the creation of a picnic garden was inspired by his understanding of the importance of outdoor spaces for children and families, particularly within a hospice setting such as ours. Gardens offer a peaceful retreat, a place for reflection, a chance to get some well-needed fresh air and a chance for families to create lasting memories together, away from the stress and worries that can accompany daily life. 

After our refreshments, we made our way outside to explore the newly completed garden. The picnic garden is a vibrant, colourful and inviting space, designed with care and attention to detail. It features comfortable, covered seating areas, beautifully maintained plants, and a welcoming atmosphere that invites children and their families to relax and enjoy the outdoors together.

The weather was warm with only a crisp breeze in the air, as if the British summer time knew we needed to see the garden in all its resplendent summertime glory.  

It has been something of a labour of love for long-term Alexander Devine volunteers, Martin and Silvia Little, whose passion and background in all things horticultural has given us such beautiful grounds over the years. Martin and Silvia led the design following a brief from Fiona Devine MBE, Alexander Devine CEO, from sourcing the gazebos, managing the contractors erecting them, planting the area and laying the lawn. 

As with so many things around Alexander Devine, all the labour that went into this project was done entirely on a volunteer basis, and we are so grateful to Martin and Silvia and all of our volunteers for their hard work and dedication to our hospice on this and all our projects.  

Martin says, “As you can see from the before photos, it was just a nothing land and the brief was to join the playground with the sensory garden and make it all flow together. We wanted the two gazebos so they could be used in good and bad weather and to use the area to relax, having movie nights in the future, etc.” 

He continued, “Although we are in a town, the hospice is set in a semi-rural location, so we wanted the planting to reflect that and blend in with the surrounding fields. We also wanted plenty of colour and plants which would attract the wildlife such as bees, insects and the like.” Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire is known for its wildlife, and it was important that this garden reflect that.  

Martin also speaks to the specific requirements of Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service: “We re-laid the lawn so to have a sensory experience for the children. It’s important that they can run barefoot on it or just lie down on it in the better weather.”

Aesthetically, the flowers are representative of the colours that Simon wanted, such as bright and vibrant yellows, along with the natural English lavender that we have in abundance in this area. 

Seeing this space in full bloom, with the sun shining and a gentle breeze rustling the leaves, was a powerful reminder of the positive impact that thoughtful donations like Simon’s can have. 

As we walked through the garden, Simon expressed his delight in seeing the project come to life. Simon’s dedication to making a difference was clear, and he took great pleasure in knowing that his contribution would bring joy and comfort to so many.

Could you be a Fundraising Superstar for Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service? Check out our list of challenges HERE!

It was also heart-warming to see how deeply Simon and Laura connected with the hospice’s mission and how much they valued the opportunity to support our work. 

Simon said of the opening, “I’m delighted to have been able to help and provide support to this wonderful charity, that really does move me with the remarkable work it does.”

He continues, “”The new garden area, known as ‘Howard’s corner’, is both in memory of my late father who would have loved this creation, and, of course, dedicated to all the children and families that can enjoy it and create special memories together” 

Following the tour of the picnic garden, Simon and Laura continued to the Dolphin Garden, another cherished part of our grounds. This space, like the picnic garden, is designed to provide a sanctuary for our families.

It was a fitting conclusion to the visit, allowing Simon to see the broader vision of our hospice and how each element of our grounds contributes to the overall experience of care and respite that we offer. 

Simon’s visit was not just a celebration of his generosity but a testament to the power of community support in helping us create a nurturing environment for the children and families we serve.

We are incredibly grateful for Simon’s donation, which has transformed our outdoor space into a haven of peace and joy.

His commitment to giving back, and the meaningful connection he has made to our hospice, will have a lasting impact on all who come to Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service. 

If you would like to know more about the work that is done at Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service, or how you could make a donation to our cause, please call us on (01628) 822777 or find out how to contact us here. 

 Check out our ‘Ways to Give’ page for some fundraising ideas! 

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