Turning 10 is not a celebration to be missed and despite the challenges that we currently face there is no question that Garden Re-Leaf’s 10th anniversary was celebrated in style. Here we look back on some of the amazing FUNdraising events which took place throughout March – and look ahead to those yet to take place!
Being apart has not stopped the garden retail sector from finding ways to work together on exciting fundraising activities. Whether its walking, running or cycling, raffles and quizzes or even shaving their heads, the month of March has seen suppliers and retailers come together (both physically and virtually!) to help mark this significant milestone and raise much-needed funds for the Greenfingers Charity. Currently the FUNdraising total stands at £35,000 with more donations expected to bolster this figure over the coming weeks.
The team from Evergreen Garden Care used Garden Re-Leaf to get themselves moving, clocking up an impressive 1,410,580 steps throughout March. But walking wasn’t enough, they also turned to cycling, running and even horse riding to get the team active. Together the team raised over £1,000 for their efforts. Evergreen also kindly sponsored the first-ever Garden Re-Leaf virtual quiz, hosted by Greenfingers Patron, Anne-Marie Powell. Kickstarting the weekend the quiz covered gardening and general knowledge topics, raising £500 for the charity.
Boyd Douglas-Davies, Director of British Garden Centres and the founder of Garden Re-Leaf Day pushed himself to the limits with his ambitious virtual trek between the latest British Garden Centre location in Harrogate, and Boyd’s own office in Brigg. Measuring 115km this was never going to be an easy task and sadly Boyd suffered an injury halfway. Not one to shirk responsibility however, Boyd has vowed to complete the distance, once again stepping onto his beloved (ahem!) cross trainer to ensure he crosses the finish line. So far Boyd has raised £2,855 but there is still time to show your support by visiting his Just Giving page.
It wasn’t just Boyd who looked to cover long distances for Greenfingers. The team at leading trade exhibition, Glee, tackled 333 miles including Event Director, Matthew Mein, who clocked up his 140th mile for Garden Re-Leaf as he walked between three Kent based garden centres – Coolings, Ruxley Manor and Gravesend’s Millbrook Garden Centre – supported by Glee’s Commercial Manager, Daniel McAlpin. Together the Glee team have raised over £1,200.
AMES completed its AMES Amble, walking over one million steps and raising £2,000, whilst multi-discipline landscapers, Scotscape – the latest charity partner of the Greenfingers charity – completed their Lands’ End to John O’Groats challenge, raising over £1,500 in the process.
Holly Parker from the HTA walked 20 miles over the weekend, bolstering her weekly 50 miles target for Garden Re-Leaf, whilst the Hozelock and Greenfingers teams also continued on their journey to rack up one million steps throughout March. Nick Adsett, Greenfingers Ambassador, also continued his quest to reach 495,000 steps throughout March, whilst Kate Ebbens continues her training ahead of her 10km run at the end of the month.
Finally, the self-named ‘Land’s End to John O’Groats Virtual Crew’ – made up of Hornby Whitefoot PR, Deco-Pak, Primeur, Gardenforum, Garden Trade News and GIMA – have decided to extend their Garden Re-Leaf challenge by doubling the distance they have earmarked for March, with the total set to be 1,206 miles. The first 603 miles (the distance between Land’s End and John O’Groats as the crow flies) was reached ahead of March 19th deadline, with just under 280 miles to go for the last week of March. You can sponsor the team by visiting their Just Giving page.
If you visit Millbrook Garden Centre in the next few weeks you might be surprised to see four lovely ladies rocking freshly shaven buzzcuts. This is because Greenfingers Chairman Sue Allen, along with Millbrook Garden Centre’s Managing Director/Greenfingers Trustee, Tammy Woodhouse, and staff members, Jo and Danielle, all braved the barber’s chair to have their lockdown locks shaved for Garden Re-Leaf Day! Together these brave ladies have raised over £15,000 – why not help boost their efforts further by visiting their Just Giving page.
Friday 19th March marked the launch date of Stihl’s Minutes Mowed Challenge. The manufacturer and its long-standing dealer Sims will be going head to head to try to clock up at least 1,000 minutes of mowing by the end of May. To donate £10 to support this challenge, simply text: MOWTEN to 70085 (Texts cost £10 plus your standard rate message).
Hannah Powell and the team at Perrywood Garden Centre raised £500 for Garden Re-Leaf by skipping their way through to Garden Re-Leaf Day, whilst others donned their favourite florals for #floralfriday!
Rob Jones and his team at The Garden Design Company donated a day’s salary to the Garden Re-Leaf Day grand total, as well as offering free design consultations and garden blitzes in return for a donation to support the work of Greenfingers. So far, the team has raised over £3,000. To find out more please visit their Crowd Funder page.
On Saturday (27th March), long-term supporters of Garden Re-Leaf Day, QVC along with Greenfingers Founder and President Richard Jackson and friends, will continue to use their significant platform to raise funds for the Greenfingers Charity. The shows start at 9am and mid-day.
