Date: 25 August 2006
Sensory garden tribute for Lea Timothy
Friends, family and colleagues of Lea Timothy, a former Norwood employee who sadly died after a brief illness in 2005 aged only 28, gathered together on Friday 25 August at the Kennedy Leigh Children and Family Centre in Hendon for the official opening of a sensory garden that was built in her honour. Lea worked at the Kennedy Leigh Centre as the Project Co-ordinator for Unity, which is Norwood’s recreational service for children with disabilities.
The garden includes a vegetable patch, sweet-scented flowers and plants, mobiles, a quiet area and a mural of Winnie the Pooh, Lea’s favourite character from childhood. It gives children with a range of disabilities the opportunity to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of a working garden – with the added incentive of getting their hands dirty and looking after it themselves. The garden was built with the help of a group of volunteers from an investment bank, that also generously contributed to the cost of the materials.
Lea’s mother, Shirley, said: “Everybody who worked with Lea has been so supportive and this garden is a fantastic tribute. She would have loved it and we couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
Hilary Rosen, Developmental Manager at the Kennedy Leigh Centre, said: “Lea had a very special talent for working with children and she is still greatly missed. I believe that this sensory garden is a truly fitting memorial.”
For further information please contact David Wosner, Public Relations Officer at Norwood on 020 8420 6942 or email david.wosner@norwood.org.uk
