"THIS is close to our hearts – cancer affects so many people, so we wanted to do what we could."

These are the words of one of many people who came forward to help restore a garden for breast cancer patients attacked by vandals.

Members of the public, council workers and businesses have joined forces to return the Peace Haven Garden at the Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital back to its former glory.

They all responded to an article in the Grimsby Telegraph, which told how vandals had attacked hanging baskets and stolen hundreds of plants and flowers.

The secluded garden is a vital area for patients using the Pink Rose unit, those undergoing treatment and tests, and their friends and family to go and reflect.

Pink Rose Suite apprentice health care assistant Rachelle Scott admires the new plants in the Peace Garden.

The garden had been put in place three years ago, as part of the Grimsby Telegraph-backed Pink Rose Appeal, which raised £250,000 for the new breast care unit.

Auxiliary nurse Jean Parker, who looks after the garden, said there had been about £400 worth of plants stolen; from hanging baskets to bedding plants in boxes.

But thanks to a huge community effort, the garden is blooming once more.

Jean said: "We had an amazing response, and now have more plants then we started with – about £700 worth," she said.

"People came from all over to donate flowers to the garden; from businesses to people who were visiting the hospital and had brought plants from their garden.

GENEROUS: Pink Rose Suite staff join those who donated flowers and plants. Pictured, from left, are Paul Carratt from Ticker-T-Boo, Rebecca Kirvan and Sarah Spence from Millenium, senior health care assistant Trisha Gowan, student nurse Leanne Gowler, senior staff nurse Helen Lindley, auxiliary nurse Jean Parker, staff nurse Amanda Alford, apprentice health care assistant Rachelle Scott and former patient Ken Brackenbury.

"We have been overwhelmed by the response, and we want to thank everyone for all their help and support."

She said among those lending a helping hand were Healing Nurseries, Oaklands Nurseries, Millennium Inorganic Chemicals, Novartis, Ticker-T-Boo, North East Lincolnshire Council as well as members of the public and volunteers at the hospital who read for the blind.

Jean said: "We have had hanging baskets, potted plants and even large planters, which we have put at the outside entrance to the ward, and the council came along and replanted flower beds."

She added it made a huge difference those who use the garden: "You really can't put a price on the flowers in this garden."

Security has since been tightened in that area.

Find out more about those who helped out in today's Grimsby Telegraph.