Work begins on ‘Angel of Hope’ Garden

The garden, which Andrea hopes will benefit families across the Borough, will be completed by the end of the summer.

Andrea sadly lost her little daughter Roma when she was knocked down outside her Coleraine home seven years ago.

Roma would have been ten last week.

Located near Council headquarters at Cloonavin, Andrea believes the garden will be a place of peace and comfort for women who have suffered a miscarriage, and parents of children who have passed away too soon.

Andrea, who visited her little daughter’s grave every day for five years, says the garden will be a place for families to go and remember their children who are no longer with them.

Last Thursday, local man John McGarvey, who will be building the garden, met Andrea at the site as the diggers arrived.

John, who lost his daughter Kelly last January, told The Times that he was ‘proud’ to be involved with the garden.

The garden was designed by local architect Stephen Todd, who now lives in Australia.

Stephen is a landscape designer, and after reading about Andrea’s proposal via Facebook, he said he ‘felt he had to do something’ to help.

So he began drafting up plans.

Stephen’s designs include a glass ‘fountain of life’ has references to the baptism and celebration of a new life arriving. There’s individual brass stars fixed on a wall which will be inscribed with each missed child.

Angel sculptures are also included in the garden which will rotate in the wind.