Lottery winners create garden at Alder Hey Children's Hospital

Ruth Breen said she wanted to help create a "tranquil space"

Tom Walker

BBC News, Merseyside

A team of National Lottery winners, who between them have won more than £30m, have been transforming a garden at a children's hospital.

The team of 13 volunteers have been planting a new pathway into a quiet garden area at the Alder Centre at Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

The centre provides counselling, therapies and support for people affected by child bereavement.

The volunteers, some of whom have had their own children treated at the hospital, said they wanted to "give something back".

Ceri Roscoe Roberts's son was treated at Alder Hey Hospital as a child

Ceri Roscoe Roberts said she wanted to thank the hospital for saving her son's life.

Her son, now 16, was eight weeks old when he suffered a dry drowning incident after an accident in their hometown of Bangor, north Wales.

He was taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd in the city for treatment, but was then transported by ambulance to Liverpool.

"Alder Hey saved his life," she said.

"We felt like we wanted to give something back.

"I feel really blessed to be here today."

Volunteers Trisha Gill and Helen Garnett have been planting climbers, shrubs and grasses

The project will see more than 800 bulbs and shrubs planted at the site, which volunteer Ruth Breen said would "help create a peaceful and welcoming space".

"We wanted to create a quiet tranquil environment away from the hustle and bustle of the main hospital site," she said.

"It's a local charity that's very close to our hearts," volunteer Tricia Gill added.

Fiona Ashcroft, chief executive officer at Alder Hey Children's Charity, said it had received an "incredible donation of plants and time" from the winners, which had helped to create a "welcoming space" for anyone affected by the death of a child.