High Sheriff of Clwyd surprises volunteer gardeners with special award at children’s hospice

Volunteer gardeners at North Wales’ only children’s hospice were left reeling in shock recently when a potential new team member on work experience turned out to be someone very different.

Working covertly with fundraising and nursing staff at the hospice, the High Sheriff of Clwyd, Karen Farrell secretly joined the team of gardeners to help out in the beautiful grounds at Tŷ Gobaith for the morning – whilst all the time knowing she was planning a swift change and a special presentation.

Throughout the morning Karen conducted a perfect ruse in conjunction with fundraiser Beverley Bradley and got stuck in, weeding, pruning and turning over soil.

However, at lunchtime as the team sat down for their food, the High Sheriff disappeared briefly and returned in full regalia to a shocked dining room to introduce her true self and present the gardening team with her first Volunteer Award.

Addressing the team, Karen said: “I’m actually the High Sheriff of Clwyd, a representative of the King and I’m here as I wanted my inaugural Volunteer Awards to go to some very special people in a very special place.

“The work you do here comes from your hearts and provides a place of calm and beauty that is so beneficial to families and children from the second the come in.”

Karen Farrell was undercover as a gardener for an entire morning

After composing himself from the surprise, volunteer gardener, Paul Shingler spoke for the group and said to a packed dining room: “That was the best kept secret I’ve ever seen in my life.

“We come here in all weathers and there’s nothing better than when we see children, families and staff enjoying the gardens.

“We all have gardens at home, but it means so much more when we come here.

“I want to thank you and everybody here on behalf of the volunteer gardening team.”

Fundraiser for Tŷ Gobaith, Beverley Bradley, who helped put the elaborate plot together, said: “It was great fun and an honour to work closely with Karen and the hospice team to set up this lovely surprise.

“Our volunteer gardeners are such wonderful people and their work provides a real asset to the atmosphere and tranquillity of the hospice.

“Everybody pulled together on the day and I think they were genuinely shocked and delighted with their awards.”

Pictured above: The High Sheriff of Clwyd, Karen Farrell (in black) presents her Volunteer Award certificates to (L-R) Elwyn Roberts, Helen Walk and Paul Shingler