AN overgrown and neglected area of land at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in Co Down has been transformed into a fairytale garden to provide support for children and young people impacted by cancer.
The new Narnia Garden, which was officially opened yesterday, is located at Daisy Lodge, the Cancer Fund for Children’s therapeutic centre near Newcastle.
Work on the £10,000 project, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, was carried out with the help of around 180 volunteers including staff from the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) and inmates from Maghaberry Prison.
Named after the mythical land created by Belfast-born fantasy writer CS Lewis who was inspired by the Mourne Mountains, it features an archery lane, a sensory deprivation activity where participants use a rope to negotiate their way around the garden and a seating area for workshops and discussions.
Raph O’Connor from the Cancer Fund for Children said: "The garden is designed to enhance the lives of young people dealing with cancer, helping with their mental health, self-confidence and with team building and peer support.
"We are thankful to The National Lottery Community Fund for making this fantastic project possible and to our partners in the Northern Ireland Prison Service for the skill and dedication of the staff and inmates from Maghaberry."
David Savage, governor of Maghaberry, said: "Projects like this allow people in our care to give something back to the wider community and that is an important step in their rehabilitation.
"This particular project has involved many people and has seen an exceptional effort by our staff and the men from Maghaberry Prison."
