A young mother who created a green sanctuary after being widowed suddenly at the age of 30 has won a special award dedicated to the healing powers of her garden.

Angie MacDonald, 44, set up her oasis in a south-facing garden of adjoining three cottages at Marazion near Penzance in Cornwall, looking towards the sea and St Michael's Mount, with the aim of providing an oasis for other bereaved people.

Sand Rose, which is now a registered charity, has been an extraordinary success and has led to Ms MacDonald being one of the ten gardeners to receive a Gardening Against The Odds Award.

Her second husband, Keith Butterfield, said the aim was to give bereaved families a beautiful place to begin coming to terms with their loss. He said: "Over time and on a limited budget Angie has built it into a special place, and conveyed the joy which a garden can bring.

"The aim was to create a perennial flower garden of herbs and scented plants with an English cottage garden feel, unusual in Cornwall, where people like to grow exotics."

He said the garden had secret places for children to play hide and seek and secluded lawns where those staying could gaze out to sea.

Mr Butterfield said: "Sand Rose does not offer a therapeutic or counselling programme.

"We simply give families the key to a cottage where they will be staying and the garden works its magic, they know they are in a place where their bereavement is acknowledged, the garden is key to helping people recover.

"As a direct result of Angie's personal loss and insight she has offered a helping hand to hundreds of families, who are referred by bereavement services, GPs, hospitals and other organisations."

The awards – whose judges include presenter David Bellamy – are dedicated to the memory of the writer Elspeth Thompson, who committed suicide last year.