Local gardener is digging deep to brighten up the outside of his local hospice

Joe Kelly, 54, who works at Little Sisters of the Poor tending to the grounds, also designs and maintains the much-admired hanging baskets and pots outside Ardgowan Hospice in his own time.

He helps at the hospice as a way of saying thank-you for the way they cared for his sister.

Every year he buys baskets and flowers for them from his own pocket.

He said: “I do it because I believe in what they stand for.

“For me planting and maintaining the flowers isn’t work.

"I really enjoy it and I like that other people enjoy it."

Joe has also been given a helping hand with his horticultural heroics.

After four of the set of eight hanging baskets were misplaced, he was assisted by his friends and fellow members at Caddlehill Allotments.

They donated money for four new ones to allow Joe to put the compete eight back up.

Now the eight hanging baskets, maintained by Joe, are outside Ardgowan Hospice for all to enjoy.

He said: “The staff at the hospice drive me - everyone from the nursing staff to the kitchen staff, they all work so hard and this is just a small thing I can do to help.

“The feedback from the staff has been great, I go everyday to maintain the plants and they seem to make people happy, which is all I want.

“I have always enjoyed gardening and I have learned so much from the people at Caddlehill.

“They have all been really supportive and the Allotments is just a breath of fresh air, it’s such a big part of the community and everyone is made welcome.

“I plant and maintain the baskets at Ardgowan Hospice for the community so it was nice that they helped by donating the money for the four baskets.

“The Allotments also give any spare fruit and vegetables they don’t need to the hospice to use and the staff are so appreciative.

“I want to thank everyone at Caddlehill for their help and support, it's very much appreciated.”