BKT-URC Ulster Rugby Match Day Programme v Cardiff

As the drizzle turned to rain, the team
followed Matthew back to the vibrant
garden room, where they were again
warmly welcomed by those spending time
in its comfortable surroundings. Asking
thoughtful questions and commenting on
the transformation of the space since their
visits to mark the groundbreaking and to see
construction in progress on site, the Ulster
Rugby team listened intently as people
shared how Horatio’s Garden Northern
Ireland is improving their lives.
Ulster Rugby celebrate the opening
of Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland
Ulster Rugby has been the official charity
partner of Horatio’s Garden Northern
Ireland throughout the 2022/23 and
2023/24 seasons, raising over £12,000 for
the charity to date. All the money raised
has been thanks to generous donations
from supporters at the club’s matches,
as well as staff, player, and supporters’
clubs fundraising.
The team’s incredible support has helped
to bring Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland
to life in the Spinal Cord Injuries Unit at
Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast. The
Ulster Rugby community’s extraordinary
generosity has also helped to ensure the
garden can continue nurturing the wellbeing
of hundreds of people affected by spinal
injury from across the province.
Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland first
welcomed patients, their loved ones, and
NHS staff in December 2023. To celebrate
the opening of the garden, which has been
designed by nine-time RHS Chelsea Gold
Medal winning designer Andy Sturgeon,
welcomed members of the Ulster Rugby
team for a special visit marking the occasion.
It was a pleasure to be joined in the garden by
Ulster Rugby President, Denis Gardiner and
his wife Ruth, former Ulster Rugby President,
Philip Gregg and his wife Barbara, a former
Occupational Therapist at the SCIU, Senior
Men’s Ulster Rugby players Rob Baloucoune
and Sean Reffell, and Senior Women’s Ulster
Rugby player, Sophie Barrett.
Together, the team enjoyed meeting
beneficiaries, their families and friends, NHS
staff, and the charity’s staff and volunteers,
including Head Gardener, Matthew Lee
and Garden Administrator, Sonya Priestly.
Spending much of the afternoon in the
warmth of the homely garden room, the
team relished the chance to enjoy tea and
homemade cake whilst getting to know
everyone and learning more about the ways
in which the garden is already changing
people’s lives.
Undeterred by the weather, the team joined
Head Gardener Matthew for a tour of the
horticultural haven, which is the seventh
of the charity’s gardens to open in the UK.
Matthew explained about the immense
variety of plants thriving in the greenhouse
and the garden therapy workshops he
regularly holds with patients there. He talked
more about one of his favourite introductory
activities too, which involves inviting people
to see which scents they can detect when
smelling certain plants.
Continuing the tour, Matthew introduced
the team to the garden pods, a firm favourite
with patients and their loved ones as a place
to seek solace and privacy in the midst of an
immensely challenging time. Making their
way through the garden, everyone took a
moment to admire the tranquil water feature,
as well as the social space which doubles as
a boccia court, enabling patients to play the
Paralympic sport to support their mental
and physical rehabilitation.
They were also thrilled to see and hear
more about the benefits of the creative
workshops and garden therapy sessions
run by the charity, with Sean and Rob
experiencing both first-hand. Whilst Sean
was keen to try a spot of painting alongside
beneficiaries and NHS staff, Rob planted
some seedlings under the expert guidance
of Head Gardener Matthew, picking up
some top tips for his houseplants at home
along the way!
Senior Men’s Ulster Rugby player, Rob
Baloucoune said: “We were on site here
last year and it was pretty derelict. There
was just grass and a digger when we got
here. Over the course of this year, Horatio’s
Garden has planned all this out and it looks
amazing. It’s incredible and in the summer
it’ll look unbelievable.”
Could you support
Senior Women’s Ulster Rugby player, Sophie
Barrett added: “We had Horatio’s Garden
Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland?
on our jersey last year, so I’m really proud
to be here today and see everything.”
Head Gardener of Horatio’s Garden
Northern Ireland, Matthew Lee said: “We’ve
had a fantastic day welcoming the Ulster
Rugby team. It’s been absolutely fantastic
to see them engaging with patients and it’s
great to be able to show them first-hand
the benefits of Horatio’s Garden.”
Beneficiary of Horatio’s Garden Northern
Ireland, Michael Scott said: “When I saw
that Ulster Rugby had become involved
with Horatio’s Garden, I was personally
quite touched. I think it’s great that
they’re supporting the charity, because
unfortunately there are spinal injuries that
happen in rugby. Spinal injury doesn’t
discriminate. It can happen to anybody at
any age, so it’s brilliant to have Horatio’s
Garden going forward for everybody.”
With the afternoon full of hope and
positivity, the Ulster Rugby team thanked
everyone for their kindness and shared
how much they had enjoyed exploring the
garden and discovering the profoundly
positive difference Horatio’s Garden
Northern Ireland is already having on
people’s lives. Patients, their loved ones,
NHS staff, and the charity’s volunteers
and staff all said how delighted they
were to have met the Ulster Rugby team
and we are very much looking forward
to welcoming them back when the sun
Opening this winter at
Musgrave Park Hospital in
Belfast, Horatio’s Garden
Northern Ireland will
nurture the wellbeing of
people after spinal injury
from across the province.
Donate to Ulster Rugby’s
shines later this season.
official charity partner
2023/24 this Christmas
at horatiosgarden.org.uk
To find out more and support Horatio’s
Garden Northern Ireland, please click below
Horatio’s Garden is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registered charity number 1151475/SC045386.
Registered Office: Horatio’s Garden, 2 Throope Down Office, Blandford Road, Coombe Bissett, Salisbury, SP5 4LN
01722 326834 | horatiosgarden.org.uk | info@horatiosgarden.org.uk | @horatiosgarden
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