AIREDALE Hospital has won the first-ever NHS Forest Award for nature recovery.

The accolade is in recognition of the Steeton hospital’s Edible Airedale project.

As part of the initiative, 2,650 fruiting trees were planted – whose produce will help supply the hospital kitchen and community, as well as feed wildlife.

The project was spearheaded by Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, in conjunction with community interest group YORgreencic and environmental charity Trees for Cities.

Support was provided by the Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund.

Steve Marshall, head gardener with Airedale NHS Foundation Trust and the project lead, said: "Winning the NHS Forest Award is an amazing achievement for us all.

“It just shows that big things can be achieved when the trust comes together.

“This kind of achievement is only possible because of all the effort that was put into the project – and the funding from generous people and companies within the community.”

At the awards ceremony – held virtually – the scheme was praised for its orchard trees, chosen specifically to benefit the flora and fauna around the hospital grounds.

Tribute was also paid to the creation of multiple bee bankings.

David Moss – managing director of AGH Solutions Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the trust responsible for estates, facilities and procurement services – said he was delighted at the awards success.

He added: “Our gardening team works extremely hard to ensure that we make the most of Airedale Hospital and its lovely surroundings.”

NHS Forest is a venture co-ordinated by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, with the aim of encouraging greater social cohesion between NHS sites and communities.

As part of the awards programme, another Airedale Hospital project also received recognition.

The wellbeing garden was highly commended.

Airedale Hospital & Community Charity, helped by NHS Charities Together, donated 11 new picnic benches to give staff the chance to take a break and relax.

Victoria Pickles, director of corporate affairs at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are very lucky at Airedale to have some beautiful green space and hills around us.

“Airedale Hospital & Community Charity’s support has meant that staff – and patients – can soak-up and admire the natural surroundings.

“You can really see the positive effects on people who come and take a moment, however brief, to relax in our greener spaces.”

Mr Moss added: “Having green space to relax in has never been more important.”