Chelsea artisan garden to raise awareness of childhood cancer
An award-winning children’s cancer charity – Supershoes – will have an Artisan garden at this year’s (2018) RHS Chelsea Flower Show, aptly named ‘Laced with Hope‘. The garden, designed by Kent-based Laura Anstiss, and sponsored by Frosts Landscapes will raise awareness of the work of the Milton Keynes based charity and the challenging journey children have once diagnosed with cancer.
The garden gives an insight into the emotions felt by a child, their thoughts, wishes and hopes intertwined with the mix of emotions that the child, together with their family, go through at such a time.
Supershoes’ mission is to empower children fighting cancer through art and bespoke shoes and the garden aims to tell the story through this art that celebrates wonderful people and empowers children by taking you through their journey.
The garden will focus on the link between art and well-being, the ability of art to uplift souls, bring renewed energy and change focus and honours the 2000 plus shoes made so far.
The use of sculpture, shapes, texture and colours in the garden will provide a beautiful representation of how the charity itself uses artwork to uplift a child who has been diagnosed with cancer. It will also be a fitting tribute to the time and talent of over 300 volunteer artists give to the charity every single time they sit down to design and paint customised shoes for individual children, unique to each child.
Sarah White, Founder of Supershoes, explains that Chelsea is a tremendous opportunity for the charity to be able to raise awareness of childhood cancer: “The garden will give a voice to the 11 children diagnosed every day in the UK, while highlighting the work our charity does nationally to empower these young people,” she said.
Designer Laura, who has also displayed her considerable creative talent working alongside Alan Titchmarsh and the team on ITV’s Love Your Garden, has always aspired to design a garden at RHS Chelsea: “Supershoes’ inspiring mission to empower children battling this terrible disease is both incredibly important and touching,” she says. “My aim is to bring beauty, strength and fun together in the design of the garden and to send the compelling message that children need to hold onto their identify and express themselves, especially when they are going through the biggest challenge of their young lives,” Laura added.
The garden will be built by 2016 Chelsea Gold medal winner Frosts Landscape Construction, whose managing director, Ken White, is also a Trustee for the Charity. Ken and his team are looking forward to building the Laced with Hope Artisan Garden as they have supported the charity since its inception.
For more information about the work of Supershoes please visit: www.supershoes.org.uk
For information on Laura’s work please visit: https://anstissgardens.co.uk
