Knutsford, UK. 21st July, 2016. RHS Tatton Park Flower Show Meningitis Awareness. 21st July 2016.; Jacob Gray; 24; from Poulton Le Fylde; a young ambassador for the charity; became ill with meningitis in January 2013 & was given just a 10 per cent chance of survival.; He made the decision to have his legs amputated to better his chances of walking independently again and eventually walked out of hospital 699 days after being originally admitted.; Credit: Cernan Elias/Alamy Live News
The Cotswold-country garden, to reflect the charity’s Gloucestershire-based roots, will still feature the stunning laminated cedar-wood sculptures of young meningitis sufferers that were such a talking point of the original Chelsea design, but a yew hedge backdrop replaces the Greek-themed folly at the centrepiece of the original. The sculptures will be set in a garden of wild flowers. John Everiss said: “This garden has been inspired by the spirit and energy of families whose lives have been turned upside down by meningitis. “It features five dramatic sculptures that travel across the garden, hitting or passing through walls, reaching up for help and encouraging each other to overcome the obstacles brought about through the disease. “Four are meningitis survivors; the fifth depicts one of the many lives lost to meningitis. “The garden celebrates the courage, determination and positive outlook of these young people and their families who have faced up to the consequences of this devastating disease.” Two of the young people whose statues feature in the garden will visit the show, which runs from Wednesday 20 to Sunday 24 July at Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire. They include Jacob Gray, 24, from Poulton le Fylde. Jacob, a Young Ambassador for the charity, became ill with meningitis in January 2013 and was given just a 10 per cent chance of survival. He made the decision to have his legs amputated to better his chances of walking independently again and eventually walked out of hospital 699 days after being originally admitted. He said: “It’s been an unplanned journey but it’s given me a new perspective on life and I’m grateful for the remarkable people I’ve met as a result. I love the garden John’s created and the statues that convey such strong emotions.” Jacob will be joined by 6-year-old Liam Doyle and his mum Becky, whose husband Colin plays for Blackpool Football Club. Liam has battled meningitis since he was a few weeks old and was too
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Location: Knutsford, Cheshire, UK
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