Derry's 'Garden of Life' in memory of organ donors given makeover by local primary schools

A park created in Derry in honour of organ donors has had a makeover.

The Garden of Life was created in 2013 by members of the Altnagelvin Renal Support Group (ARSG).

The park is located just outside Derry’s Walls close to the Bishop’s Gate entrance.

Its aim is to provide a quiet space for people to relax while highlighting the impact that people who have donated organs have had on the lives of the organ recipients.

ARSG is a self help group dedicated to providing support and assistance to all those affected by renal failure, both directly and indirectly, in the Altnagelvin Renal Unit area of responsibility.

It is totally independent of but operates in close co-operation with the Renal Unit.

The ARSG is self funded through voluntary donations and fund raising activities and is organized and run by representatives of patients, staff, carers and relatives.

The ARSG views organ donation as the most effective means of supporting renal patients and actively promotes organ donation through a series of awareness events throughout the year at which the public are encouraged to sign the organ donation register.

Organ donation is recognised as a gift of life to those in need of transplant.

One organ donor can save and transform the lives of nine people.

The Garden of Life was opened in 2013 by the ARSG, supported by Derry City Council, to give thanks to organ donors for their generous gift of life.

Recently, the ARSG together with Derry City and Strabane Council and Apex Housing decided to renovate the garden and the surrounding area.

As part of this project, pupils from four local primary schools, Long Tower Primary, Fountain Primary, Nazareth House and Gaelsciol Eadain Mhoir helped the council workers and members of the ARSG to carry out the replanting of flowers.

Apex Housing will continue the improvement work of the garden and surrounding area throughout the next few weeks.

It is hoped that all the work will be completed by the end of July.