A FORMER charity worker from Hampshire has issued a plea for help after vowing to celebrate his love for his wife of 47 years.

The Rev Vic Jackopson, 75, has decided to create a dementia-friendly garden at the Southampton care home where his wife Sue, 70, has lived since last July.

But Vic has found himself involved a race against time after buying a sun house on Valentine's Day.

It is due to arrive in early April, leaving him with just weeks to organise all the help he needs to complete the project at Brookvale House nursing home in Portswood.

Vic and Sue founded the Southampton-based charity Hope Now in 1985.

They worked in Africa as well as the UK and also 25 years in the Ukraine, helping orphans and rescuing homeless children.

On January 1, 2010 he was made and MBE in the New Year's honours list for services to young people in the Ukraine but retired as Hope Now's chief executive a few months later.

Four years ago Sue was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Vic said: "I cared for her at home until my own health started to fail. Last July it was necessary for her to move into Brookvale House, where the level of care has been amazing.

"Remembering last summer, when we often sat in the garden, I decided on a Love Project.

"My aim is to create a sensory garden that will stimulate things such as sight, taste and smell. It will be used by all the residents and staff but the good thing is that Sue will see me doing it.

"The focal point will be a £15,000 sun house I ordered on Valentine's Day."

Vic said he needed a raft of partners to help with all aspects of the project, including bricklayers and people skilled in the art of laying paths and patios. Volunteer gardeners, a landscape garden designer and draughtsmen also are required.

Vic, of Chetwynd Drive, Southampton, said: "The timing is critical.

"The sun house will be delivered at the end of the first week in April. Before that we need to lay the foundation for it and the paths so that planting and art installations can go in during the second and third weeks.

"And before any of that I need a design. I could try to do this myself but I just know I'd make a pig's ear of it."

Anyone who can help should e-mail Vic at Vic.jackopson@mac.com.