There are now less than five weeks until Garden Re-Leaf Day on March 16th. The event organisers have confirmed that plans for the industry’s biggest annual fundraiser are gathering momentum but those who haven’t signed up yet need not worry, there is still time to get involved!
Walk or cycle for Garden Re-Leaf
There has been a great response for the popular Garden Re-Leaf Walk and Cycle, with teams from Cadix, Hornby Whitefoot PR, Glee, Woodlodge, Mr Fothergill’s, Briers, Deco-Pak, Taylor’s Bulbs, Hozelock, HTA and Kew Green Hotels all signed up to take part.
Starting at 9am, with registration open from 8am, participants will start from World’s End Garden Centre in Wendover, Buckinghamshire. Walkers and cyclists will take in a circular route along the Ridgeway and through the Chiltern hills, where they will be able to enjoy stunning views of Chequers (the Prime Minister’s Country residence), references to Roald Dahl in Great Missenden as well as many other interesting landmarks.
FUNdraising Days
Garden centres across the country are also holding their own FUNdraising events for Garden Re-Leaf Day. Hillview Garden Stores, Squire’s Garden Centres and Klondyke are holding 12-hour Plantathons which will see some of their tireless staff and friends planting continuously around the clock.
The Old Railway Garden Centre will be holding a raffle for customers and hosting a curry night and quiz with all proceeds going to Greenfingers. Millbrook’s Gravesend Centre is holding a number of events including face painting, crafts, special Springtime animal guests, a Char-i-Tea morning, planting demonstrations and a talk their Managing Director, Tammy Woodhouse.
Perrywood Garden Centre and Poplars Garden Centre are both holding a charity quizzes in their stores, whilst Whitehall Garden Centre will be donating £1 from every coffee and cake sold in their restaurant on the day. Haskins will be raffling a hamper full of gardening goodies over the Garden Re-Leaf weekend, Aylett Nurseries will be holding a coffee morning and tombola for customers and The Association of Professional Landscapers will be having a collection at their Awards lunch.
BUT……. the Greenfingers team is still eager to get more of the garden industry involved!
As an incentive, if you register your event on the Greenfingers website beforehand, businesses will receive FREE Garden Re-Leaf Day t-shirts, balloons and posters to help promote their events. Businesses will also benefit from free support from Garden Re-Leaf’s PR team including press release templates and media lists to help with publicity.
Greenfingers would like to thank LOFA for sponsoring the Garden Re-Leaf Walk drinks reception, SBM Life Sciences for sponsoring the medals, Woodlodge for sponsoring the banners and Groundscare Products for their sponsorship. There are still many exciting sponsorship opportunities available from marshals and support vehicles for the Garden Re-Leaf Walk and Cycle Challenge, to refreshments, water stations and signage.
Greenfingers Head of Fundraising and Communications, Linda Petrons said: “A huge thank you to all of those who have already shown their support for Garden Re-Leaf Day. You are all amazing! However, we still urgently need support from even more businesses to help make this the biggest Garden Re-Leaf day yet. Whether it be through the walk, cycle or your own arranged event, the funds you raise really do make a difference for life-limited children and their families who spend time in hospices across the UK.”
For fundraising ideas and inspiration, a free information pack has been produced by the Greenfingers team. To download the pack, register your event or sign up for the walk/cycle, please visit www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk/gardenreleaf.
To enquire about sponsorship, please contact Linda by email linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or call 01494 674749/07908 221240.
