Heroes garden at Chelsea Flower Show

The Help for Heroes Sanctuary Garden is being designed by Drusilla Stewart and William Beresford of the London based design company, All Seasons Design and Landscaping.

But for Drusilla, whose home is at Haxton, near Netheravon, the project is one very dear to her heart. Her husband, an officer in the Royal Artillery, will be deployed to Afghanistan just before the show opens.

"The design itself was inspired by conversations I had with wives of servicemen, whose husbands are also about to be deployed," she said, adding that she "also sent her concept design to the charity for its views. The garden is designed as a symbolic sanctuary where those who do not return safely can find focus and the peace with which to deal with either physical or mental trauma after the ordeal of operations."

This is the first time that Drusilla has designed a garden at the prestigious flower show and it is also the first time that Help for Heroes has been represented there. The Sanctuary Garden will be exhibited in the Urban Show Garden section with a scented planting scheme.

"My reason for starting this project wasn't just to have a garden at Chelsea Flower Show but was driven by my desire to raise awareness for Help for Heroes generally, as well as much needed funding," she said.

"There are a vast number of military personnel - army, navy and airforce - with injuries they need help with. This is my way of doing my bit."

Drusilla hopes to raise a total of £30,000 using the garden at Chelsea as her focal point, including the sale of all the plants on the last day of the show. She has received huge support from sponsors, both large and small for which she is grateful. "Everyone has been so generous in terms of time and financial support."

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show opens on Tuesday, May 19 and runs until Saturday, May 23.

Anyone wishing to support the Help for Heroes Sanctuary Garden can donate at www.justgiving.com/helpforheroeschelseagarden