Air ambulance garden opens in permanent home

A public memorial garden to help people touched by the work of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has opened.

The garden at Roundhay Park in Leeds was created to be a place where people can come to remember and reflect on their experiences.

Created by York-based landscape architect, Kate Smithson, the garden captures the essence of Yorkshire’s diverse landscapes.

Ms Smithson described her work designing the garden as ”a incredible experience to work on a garden for such an amazing charity.”

The garden was relocated to its new permanent location in Roundhay’s Specialist Gardens after it won Best in Show at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show.

It features a yellow metal pergola inspired by the rotor blades of the Air Ambulance, surrounded by soft, flowing plants and a reflective pool.

Ms Smithson said creating the garden and seeing it opened to the public had been "emotional".

Tessa Klemz, regional fundraising manager for the YAA, said the location had been chosen because it was central and "freely accessible for everybody to view and it’s somewhere people can just come and remember loved ones whether they’ve been touched by Yorkshire Air Ambulance or not”.

Mike Harrop, chairman of the YAA, said it was "very special" to have a place where people could come and spend "some mindful time and enjoy themselves, relax and reflect".

Tracy Gregory lost her partner to a motorbike accident fourteen years ago and said volunteering with the YAA had helped her deal with her grief.

“It’s given me as much as I’ve given to them," she said.

"I meet people I would never have met, I go to places I would have never have been.”

Describing the garden as “beautiful” she said it is such a lovely place for people to come and remember.”

Scott Housley has been a volunteer for over six years after the Yorkshire Air Ambulance rescued him during a walking accident.

"The people in the YAA are absolutely brilliant," he said.

Mr Housley said the garden gave people an "opportunity to get away from what’s happening in the world”.

The garden was made possible through sponsorship and funding from organisations including Redmayne Bentley, The North of England Horticultural Society, Woods of Harrogate, The Arnold Burton Charitable Trust, RB Gray Charitable Trust, Ilkley Charitable Trust, and The Peacock (Leeds) Trust.

The YAA said it plans to utilise the garden for future fundraising and awareness events.

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