The John King Brain Tumour Foundation was honoured to welcome Her Majesty The Queen to St George’s Hospital for the official opening of the new Neuro Intensive Care Unit balcony garden – a very special project that represents hope, healing and the power of community.
Known as the “Garden in the Sky”, this beautiful new space sits alongside the Neuro Intensive Care Unit, providing patients, their families and dedicated NHS staff with access to fresh air, natural light and the restorative benefits of nature during some of life’s most challenging moments.
For patients recovering from complex brain injuries, brain tumours and strokes, even a short time outdoors can have a profound impact on wellbeing. This garden creates a peaceful sanctuary away from the clinical environment, allowing families precious moments together and offering comfort when it is needed most.
During her visit, Her Majesty met neurology doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals, charity trustees and patients before officially unveiling the commemorative plaque marking the opening of the garden.
One of the most moving moments of the afternoon came when The Queen met Catherine Oppong-Barbo, one of St George’s own neurosurgery nurses, who is currently recovering on the very ward where she usually cares for patients after suffering a brain haemorrhage two weeks ago.
Catherine, who has worked as a neurosurgery nurse at St George’s Hospital since 2017, spoke about the importance of the balcony garden during her recovery.
“The balcony is a connection to the outside world after being beside lots of machines in intensive care, it makes it feel like I can breathe freely again.”
Reflecting on her experience from a patient’s perspective, she added:
“Now I’m using the balcony as a patient, I can put myself in their shoes and truly feel how big of an impact this is going to make.”
Catherine also shared with Her Majesty:
“The balcony is a haven for patients and their families – it’s a space to connect while recovering.”
Her words perfectly capture the vision behind the project.
The Queen also met Daisy Papel, Matron of the Intensive Care Unit, who has dedicated 24 years of service to St George’s Hospital. Daisy spoke passionately about the difference the garden will make for patients and families.
“The balcony is really important not only for our patients, but their families as well, to be able to see them outside of the ward and support them, which drastically helps to improve patient wellbeing.”
“Coming outside from the intensive care unit, you cannot really express the happiness patients experience.”
“The garden is an escape for them, and a space for them to enjoy crucial time with their families – the difference is breathtaking.”
A Legacy Inspired by John
The Garden in the Sky has been created through a partnership between The John King Brain Tumour Foundation and St George’s Hospital Charity, transforming a previously unused balcony into a fully accessible therapeutic garden directly connected to the Neuro Intensive Care Unit.
For Laura King, Founder and Chair of The John King Brain Tumour Foundation, the project carries a deeply personal significance.
This year marks ten years since her husband, John, passed away after being diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumour and receiving treatment at St George’s Hospital.
During John’s treatment, access to the gardens on the McKissock Ward provided precious moments of peace and normality for the family.
Laura shared:
“This year marks ten years since my husband John died. After being diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumour in 2015, he was treated by the incredible team at St George’s Hospital.”
“We cherished the access to the gardens on the McKissock ward and wanted to help ensure that this kind of space was also available for the hundreds of patients admitted to the Neuro Intensive Care Unit each year. A space that provides families with a dignified, peaceful setting away from clinical surroundings.”
“Creating these balcony gardens has been a true passion project. Ten years on, it feels like a deeply poignant way to honour John’s memory and create something lasting for many other families in the future.”
The story of the Foundation’s support for therapeutic gardens at St George’s began many years ago.
When John and Laura first encountered the McKissock Ward Garden, it was a neglected and underused space. Determined to create something special for patients and families, they worked alongside Garden Club London to transform it into a beautiful therapeutic garden.
Together, they created a garden for the Hampton Court Flower Show, where it was awarded the People’s Choice Award before being relocated back to the ward. The project eventually became home to Emma Rodgers’ iconic tree sculpture and developed into the much-loved McKissock Garden seen today.
Remarkably, that transformation began with just two plants.
Supporting Life-Changing Care
Since its formation, The John King Brain Tumour Foundation has raised more than £1.4 million in support of neuroscience services at St George’s Hospital.
We are sincerely grateful for the work that our much-loved late Patron, Richard Sullivan put in to initiating and supporting the initial garden installation building project whilst also dealing with his own diagnosis.
Funding from the Foundation has helped maintain the McKissock Ward Roof Garden while also providing world-leading equipment that improves both life expectancy and quality of life for patients undergoing neurosurgical treatment.
Equipment funded by the Foundation includes:
- The Zeiss Surgical Microscope, enabling surgeons to see further into the brain and remove more tumour tissue during surgery.
- The Stealth Autoguide Robotics Guidance Platform, supporting precision minimally invasive cranial surgery.
- The ZEISS Pentero 900 surgical visualisation platform.
- The Doro Two-Pin Skull Clamp and Actuated Headrest for infants and young children.
- The Sonoca 300 Ultrasonic Aspirator and Endoscope for precise tissue removal during neuroendoscopic procedures.
- The PromethION Nanopore Machine, a groundbreaking technology capable of reducing testing times from six weeks to approximately one hour, transforming the speed of diagnosis and treatment planning.
Celebrating Excellence in Neuroscience Care
St George’s Hospital is one of the UK’s leading teaching hospitals and the third largest provider of neurosurgery services in London.
Its Neuro Intensive Care Unit is a 14-bed specialist unit caring for around 850 patients every year and providing expert treatment for conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, muscles and nervous system.
During the visit, Her Majesty was welcomed by Sir Mark Lowcock, Chair of St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group, who highlighted the hospital’s internationally recognised expertise in neuroscience care.
The Queen also unveiled a striking new sculpture by acclaimed artist Emma Rodgers. Inspired by the mighty English oak, the sculpture symbolises strength, wisdom, nurturing and healing, while its canopy is formed from hands applauding the NHS.
Speaking at the event, Sir Mark said:
“We are honoured and so very thankful to welcome to Her Majesty The Queen to St George’s Hospital, and all our guests who joined us to officially open the neurology intensive care unit’s balcony garden.”
“More than 850 patients are treated in the unit every year by our world-class care teams – and now, this beautiful balcony garden offers patients in intensive care with complex brain injury, tumours or stroke – and their families – a space to connect with the outside world during their time in hospital.”
“This is all down to the determination and generosity of the John King Brain Tumour Foundation and of St George’s Hospital Charity – thank you.”
Thank You
The official opening of the Garden in the Sky is far more than the completion of a construction project. It is the creation of a lasting legacy that will benefit thousands of patients and families for years to come.
Every flower planted, every moment of respite enjoyed, and every family able to spend precious time together outdoors is a reminder of what can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose.
The John King Brain Tumour Foundation is incredibly proud to have helped make this vision a reality and would like to thank every supporter, donor, volunteer and partner who has contributed to this journey.
This is the difference your support makes.
Together, we are creating hope, improving lives and building a lasting legacy in John’s memory.
