The recent Garden Centre Association (GCA) conference was not only an informative and educational event, but it also featured a lot of fundraising for the garden retail sector’s adopted charities, including Greenfingers. In fact, delegates dug so deep into their pockets, wallets and purses that it has been confirmed that over £25,0000 was raised for Greenfingers during the event!
Sunday saw the conference dedicate its time to fundraising, with Greenfingers one of three charity beneficiaries. Through a range of activities including a quiz and prize donations, £1,000 was raised for the children’s hospice garden charity and opened the fundraising pot. Greatly adding to this was Evergreen Garden Care, which auctioned off its last ever bag of peat-based Miracle-Gro compost, along with 12 pallets of peat-free compost, raising £8,000 in the process thanks to the highest bidders, Stewarts Garden Centre.
A late-night bonus fundraising opportunity also presented itself when Woodlodge’s Ian Flounders raised over £7.500 by shaving off his ‘Santa’ beard.
Talking post-event, Greenfingers Chairman, Sue Allen, said: “Within Greenfingers, we know just how much hard work, detailed planning and energy is needed to ensure a successful fundraising campaign. That was in evidence yet again at the recent GCA conference, where delegates, garden centres and suppliers came together in a generous show of support, whether through quizzing, donating prizes, auctioning off products, committing financially or signing up to take part in Garden Re-Leaf Day, the Wing Walk or the Dragon Boat Race.
“And then, late in the evening, in the bar, something unplanned and spontaneous raises over £7,5000. Ian sacrificed his beard and astute ‘pledge gatherers’ ensured it was a money-spinner. That is what makes this all so worthwhile. A massive thank you to everyone involved in every aspect of the fundraising, whether planned or not. Without your continued support we would not be able to create those magical spaces within children’s hospices.”
The Greenfingers Charity would also like to extend their sincerest thanks to the GCA for their continued support and for allowing the team to share the stage to tell delegates more about the charity. Having this platform is an important part of the charity’s work.
The Pennies Scheme
Whilst on stage at the GCA Conference, Sue was accompanied by Tammy Woodhouse who outlined details of the Pennies Scheme; a fantastic initiative designed to ‘make giving simple, everyday’.
Pennies sees microdonations added via the epos system, with small donations quickly adding up to pounds. To find out more about how to implement the Pennies Scheme in your store please contact retail software specialists, Corby & Fellas, via www.corbyfellas.com. Tammy of Millbrook Garden Centres – who have already raised almost £8,000 for Greenfingers through the scheme, has confirmed that she will make herself available to anyone wanting to know more about making it work in their garden centre.
