Garvagh man using gardening as a therapy for cancer patients

A County Derry man has raised £175,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in the last 25 years.
After Andrew McClarty lost one of his parents to cancer, he began helping people on their own cancer journey by using gardening as a therapy.
“My father had cancer and Macmillan Cancer Support was so good. I wanted to give something back.
Two years after he died, I started doing charity work," explained the Garvagh man.
“I sold flowers and stuff and it just got bigger and bigger and bigger.”
Five years ago, Andrew had an idea to open a polytunnel to help people with cancer using the benefits of gardening.
His initiative is part of the Macmillan Move More campaign.
“I was left some ground when I was younger and I knew that that was for a reason. The reason was to start working for Macmillan with the tunnel.
“People with cancer can come to my greenhouse to cultivate and sometimes just to give them something to do.
“We just relax, have a good time, and drink coffee or tea. It’s just a happy atmosphere.”
People can choose to help in the greenhouse or just come to have a chat.
Through his project, Andrew has turned his passion for gardening into something beneficial for the mental and physical well-being of people with cancer.
“I won a competition when I was 11 for growing tomatoes. Then at school where I was, the gardener said to me ‘You should go for gardens and stuff like that’.”
“I have always been interested in gardens. I got the idea [to help people with cancer] in bed at three o'clock in the morning. I woke up to this idea and I went to get a greenhouse to do it."
Last Christmas over 50 people came to make wreaths with Andrew.
“I have 25 to 30 cancer patients here. People who have cancer, smiling, and who haven’t cracked, experience everything.
“One wee girl who is 29 years of age that has cancer came to see me and she said ‘Thank you Andrew, it’s the one day of the week where I don’t think about my treatment’. It’s really rewarding and at Christmas, the laugh and the carry-on, it was unreal, it was beautiful. It was a fantastic day.
“I love giving something back."

One of the participants, Clare Robertson got involved when she developed cancer for a second time.
“We attend the gardening activity once a month, we plant bulbs and seeds, and when we return the next month, we can see all the growth that has happened during
that time. It gives us a sense of hope,” said Clare.
“We don’t talk about cancer all the time, but sometimes it’s useful for people to discuss and compare where they are on their cancer journey and to know that they are not alone.”
To get involved in the Move More programme, please contact: 028 27660210 or 07597 399765 or email at move.more@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk