MP and Bishop unite to support mental health charity
David Lidington MP and the Bishop of Buckingham, the Right Reverend Dr. Alan Wilson, came together on Thursday evening [22nd May] at a charity event to support Lindengate. The evening Garden Party was held to promote the work of Lindengate, a new charity helping those dealing with mental health issues through therapeutic gardening and horticulture.
The event was held in the grounds of the Bishop’s official residence in Great Missenden and over 120 people attended together with several local organisations, including the Paradigm Foundation and representatives from County Council and other Buckinghamshire-based bodies involved in mental health services.
Lindengate is a local charity based at the World’s End site next to the garden centre in Wendover and will be fully open in September, having just signed a lease for the 5-acre site. Staff from the World’s End Garden Centre were on hand to present raffle prizes and to support Lindengate.
Introducing the event the Bishop of Buckingham praised the work of the charity and said:
“I’ve watched with amazement over the last 12 months as this local project has simply taken off. The demand for support for those dealing with mental health issues is ever growing and Lindengate offer an innovative and creative way of meeting that need”.
During the evening the Paradigm Foundation presented a grant cheque to Lindengate and Mike Gahagen, Chair of Trustees, said that:
“ Paradigm was simply bowled over by their presentation to us and had no hesitation in awarding them a grant to aid their important work”.
David Lidington wrapped up the evening, highlighting that Lindengate is the
“..perfect example of local passion, commitment and energy in bringing something together that’s needed in Buckinghamshire and which the statutory services simply can’t do”.
The event was so successful that it is already in the diary for next year!