MENINIGITIS Trust members have been getting their hands dirty alongside volunteers from the Nelson Trust to dig out a memorial garden for all those who have died from the devastating disease.

Designed by award-winning garden designer Sue Jollans, it is located outside the Trust’s head office in Stroud and features a winding path leading up to a circular seat.

This will be surrounded by wooden plaques bearing the names of those who are remembered, and a range of plants to bring scent and colour to the area all year round.  The project is the second time the charity has been helped by volunteers from the Stroud based Nelson Trust, who also helped create the Rose Garden in Stratford Park last year.

Sue Davie, chief executive at the Meningitis Trust, says: “We are really pleased with how the garden is taking shape, and we are enjoying watching it develop each day in to a special garden. It will be a permanent tribute to those who have sadly died from meningitis; somewhere where their family and friends can come and reflect. We hope that the familys who use it will find it to be an area of contemplation, beauty and peace.”

Every year the trust helps more than 20,000 sufferers nationwide, and distributes millions of leaflets, posters, symptoms cards, information sheets and other materials to raise awareness of meningitis.

For more information about the trust visit www.meninigitis-trust.org.