A GARDEN lecturer and designer who endured chronic migraines as a young adult is set to open her garden to the public to support a charity that changed her life.

Valda Walker, of Hilton, near Yarm, suffered with migraines throughout her formative years until she contacted the Migraine Trust and was offered Imigran medication to give her a better quality of life.

Ms Walker opens her garden of perennial flowering hellebore plants every year to raise funds for the Migraine Trust in a bid to help others dealing with painful headaches and other physical symptoms.

Ms Walker said: “Now I can get rid of a headache in few hours, I was so grateful and I just do it because I want to support the Migraine Trust.”

“It’s a lot of hard work, particularly at this time of year. You’ve had to get ready for it in the bad weather, but it’s worth it in the end.

“You raise the money and you support the charity.”

In previous years, about 80 people have admired her work during the open session of her Manor Drive property in Hilton.

Admission to the garden costs £2 and tea, cakes, and a book and plant stall will be available, with all proceeds going to the Migraine Trust.

For a chance to explore the hellebore garden, Ms Walker’s home will be open on Friday, March 31, between 1pm and 6pm.