Cancer garden project in Bispham has helped me – I’m hoping it can help others
“Being involved in this garden has really helped me – now I hope it can help others as well.”
A group of recovering cancer patients on the Fylde coast have succeeded in creating a peaceful remembrance garden which offers a haven for those who have experienced the illness.
The team behind the KCA Community Pond and Support Garden in Bispham wanted to offer a retreat where people could also meet others who have been through similar experiences.
Now they’ve made it a success and are reaching out to other groups who can make use of it.
Located near Glenholme Bispham Gardens Nursing Home on Ryscar Way, it offers free fishing for cancer sufferers, via a private angling club, and a tranquil outdoor space for care home residents, cancer sufferers and disabled people.
It has been developed by Fleetwood father-of-four Eddie Dunn, who came through gruelling cancer treatment himself, in partnership with the KCA (Kick Cancer Away) support group.
They are also being supported by Bispham councillor Jon Bamborough who is part of a new steering group, while Glenholme owns the land is happy to see the garden develop, with some of its residents among those enjoying it.
What they said
Eddie, 66, went through a tough cancer operation at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital in October 2023, followed by chemotherapy.
He was already a member of the angling club using the fishing lake in the middle of the garden and said: “I’ve been through the mill and back, I know what it can be like and after all that, I’m thankful to be still here and I just want to give something back to help others who have either been through it too, or are still going through it.
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“Since we started early last year and had an open day last summer, it’s gone from strength to strength.
“Cancer patients can come here and relax, whether they want to sit here and fish, or just sit here and enjoy a sandwich and a flask of coffee in a nice peaceful setting.
“Being involved in this garden has really helped me – I hope it can help others as well.”
“Now we want to organise things so this garden can be here long-term , for people to enjoy for years to come.
“We’re setting up a board of directors and a steering group, and we’ll be looking to fund things through sponsorship, fundraisers and donations.
“Apart from cancer patients, we’d like to hear from veterans’ groups and disabled organisations as well.”
Lesley Taylor (formerly Caine), 50, from Fleetwood, is a founder member of the locally-based Kick Cancer Away support group and has also made it through gruelling treatment for the illness, in her case an aggressive strain of breast cancer.
For KCA, the garden is one of just many ways the support group, all local volunteers who have experienced the illness, are supporting people with cancer.
She said: “No matter how much your loved ones support you, the only people who really understand from the inside are people who have been through it themselves, and it can really help to talk to them.
“It’s good to be able to take your mind off all the medical stuff for a while. And if anyone feels lonely after they’ve recovered from cancer treatment, we can offer support.
“Cancer is also really tough for loved ones too, so we offer support to them as well.
Cllr Jon Bambrough said: “This garden is a really good idea and I’m happy to help it in any way I can.
“Cancer patients and disabled people are welcome to make use of it.”
The garden is open seven days a week, via an access code.
For more information about the garden phone Eddie on 07758 139102 and for the KCA Support Group, phone 07918 453167.
There is also a private KCA Facebook page which new members can join, at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1123613718672346/