Cancer Research UK garden wins gold at the 2008 RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Leading charity Cancer Research UK has won a Gold Medal at the 2008 Chelsea Flower Show for its garden. Designed by three-time Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winner Andy Sturgeon, the inspiration for this year’s garden was the enormous amount of progress that Cancer Research UK is making in beating cancer.

Jools Tait from Cancer Research UK said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with the garden and delighted that it’s been awarded a gold medal. Andy has once again designed a fantastic garden for Cancer Research UK.

“The Chelsea Flower Show provides us with an excellent platform to highlight the progress the charity has made towards beating cancer, for example, half of all newly diagnosed people with cancer now survive beyond five years.”

Focusing on the idea of progress, Andy created a contemporary woodland garden with four rectangular pools, which increase in size towards the front of the garden. A series of computer generated raindrop-like ripples begin in sequence from the rear of the garden and dance through the pools towards the front, symbolising the advancement the charity is making.

The dramatic backdrop to the garden is the ‘Thought Wall’, which is a piece of sculpture in its own right. This has been constructed from shot blasted and waxed aluminium rings. The main plants used are large tree ferns and the unusual Southern Beech, Nothofagus antarctica.

Cancer Research UK has been at the forefront of progress in cancer research for over a century. The charity’s work has made a substantial impact on the survival and quality of life of cancer patients throughout the UK. Cancer deaths have fallen by 12 per cent over the last decade, with two out of three women with breast cancer now surviving beyond 20 years.

For further information about Cancer Research UK’s garden at the Chelsea Flower Show visit Chelsea Flower Show

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For media enquiries please contact Cancer Research UK’s press office on 020 7061 8308 or, out of hours, the duty press officer on 07050 264 059.

About Cancer Research UK

• Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK’s vision is to beat cancer.
• Cancer Research UK carries out world-class research to improve understanding of the disease and find out how to prevent, diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer.
• Cancer Research UK ensures that its findings are used to improve the lives of all cancer patients.
• Cancer Research UK helps people to understand cancer, the progress that is being made and the choices each person can make.
• Cancer Research UK works in partnership with others to achieve the greatest impact in the global fight against cancer.
• For further information about Cancer Research UK’s work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020 7009 8820 or visit our homepage.