We are Edith and Brett, two Year 6 pupils from Abbey School in Torquay, and we are leading a community project called The Green Wave. Our aim is not just to turn Torbay green. Our aim is to create a Green Wave of hope, shared understanding and community action for everyone affected by spinal injury.

This project is inspired by something very personal. Last summer, Brett’s uncle experienced a life‑changing spinal injury while on holiday in Ibiza. He spent months in the Salisbury spinal unit, far from home. During that time, Horatio’s Garden became a place of calm, sunlight and hope for him and his family. We realised that many people don’t know this charity exists until they suddenly need it, and we want to change that.

Why Horatio’s Garden Matters

Horatio’s Garden began with a teenager called Horatio Chapple, who was only 17 when he volunteered at the Salisbury spinal unit. He listened to patients, noticed that they had no outdoor space, and believed that nature could help people heal emotionally as well as physically. After he tragically died in 2011, his idea grew into a nationwide charity that now supports thousands of patients and families every year. Horatio showed that young people can see what adults sometimes miss. He proved that you are never too young to create and drive change. We want to carry on that legacy.

What We Are Doing

We are inviting schools, nurseries, colleges and businesses across Torbay to join the Green Wave by wearing something green, sharing the newsletter we created, displaying posters or selling a green item, and talking about empathy, resilience and active citizenship.

At Abbey School, our house Torre is also taking on a special challenge: to cover 115 miles as a combined team effort. This is the distance from Torquay to Salisbury and represents the journey families travel for specialist spinal care. It shows what we can achieve when we work together.

How Far Can the Green Wave Go?

When people come together, amazing things can happen. Every ribbon worn, every green outfit, every shared post, every mile walked and every donation adds another ripple. Together, those ripples become a wave, a wave of kindness, awareness and hope.

We are also encouraging people to share their support online using the hashtags from our newsletter:

#TorbayGreenWave

#HoratiosGarden

These help our message travel even further and show how far the Green Wave can spread.

The Green Wave is our way of showing that children can lead, influence others and be active citizens right now. We do not have to wait until we are older to make a difference. We can start today.

Why We Need Your Support

Your donation helps us raise vital funds for Horatio’s Garden.

Whether you are donating because you wore something green, bought a ribbon, supported our 115‑mile challenge or simply believe in what we are doing, thank you.

You are helping hope grow. You are helping us build shared understanding. You are helping us see just how far the Green Wave can go.

From Edith and Brett