Harrogate charity's 'lasting gift' to patients, visitors and staff at Harrogate District Hospital
A Harrogate NHS Hospital charity has been thanked for its “outstanding commitment” over the decades as it prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
Since being founded in mid-1960s, The Friends of Harrogate Hospital has worked hard to contribute to patient care for more than half a century.
Now, with its 60th birthday landing in 2026, it decided to kick-start the milestone by remodelling the Friends Garden in a lasting gift to the hospital patients, visitors and staff.
Yvonne Campbell, Head of Charity for Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity said "The Friends of Harrogate Hospital garden is a central and important feature on the Harrogate District Hospital site for patients, visitors and workforce to have a space for reflection, coming together with friends, family and peers.
"We are extremely grateful to the Friends of Harrogate Hospital for their outstanding commitment.”
The Friends Garden in Harrogate District Hospital were originally created and opened in August 2001.
A new feature in the garden will be the Tree of Life, a joint project with the trust’s Organ and Tissue Donation Committee and the Friends..
This new metal sculpture has been created by Harrogate artist Steve Blaylock, who famously made the Blue Peter ship in the Blue Peter Garden in Salford and also created a metal sculpture of an angel for Johnny Vegas’s glamping site TV programme.
The construction works are being carried out by volunteers from Morgan Sindall Construction, Moortown Group, Marlborough Brickwork, G&H and Metfabs.
John Fox, Chair of The Friends of Harrogate Hospital said “We are extremely grateful for the tremendous effort by the volunteers to make this happen.
"The construction work is a major element of the project.
"We also appreciate the help and support from Carolyn Rothwell for her horticultural advice, Steve Blaylock, Dr Sarah Marsh, Yvonne Campbell of Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity and Ian Hutchinson, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust. “
The 60th anniversary events will begin on Friday, February 13, 2026 with a charity concert at Harrogate Theatre starring Tewit Silver Band.
The official opening of the new-look The Friends Garden is expect in the Spring.