Speaking at the GIMA Awards 2013 in Leeds on 18th July, Garden Re-Leaf Day’s founder and Hillview Garden Centre CEO Boyd Douglas-Davies also revealed that the fund-raising aspects of the 2013 event had raised £61,379 for Garden Re-Leaf Day’s nominated charity Greenfingers – exceeding the total raised last year by £6,379.
Boyd said: “The aim of Garden Re-Leaf Day is to create industry-wide impetus that helps to stimulate spring garden retail sales, to inspire gardeners of all kinds and engage with the wider community. It’s also an opportunity to raise money for charity along the way.
“The response to this year’s event was fantastic with hundreds of garden centres, suppliers and industry supporters taking part.Thanks to their positive feedback, I am pleased to confirm that Garden Re-Leaf Day will be held again next year; giving the industry a chance to get 2014 sales off to the strongest possible start.”
Monies raised during Garden Re-Leaf Day 2013 are being donated to Greenfingers, a nationwide charity dedicated to building gardens in children’s hospices around the UK. Matthew Wilson, Chairman of Greenfingers commented:“We are so grateful to garden centres and suppliers around the country for all their hard work in raising this money as part of Garden Re-leaf Day.We are delighted to be the recipients of the funds.We have already created 40 special hospice gardens, with the 41st following shortly, so know what good use this money can be put to, and how many children and families will benefit from having magical outdoor spaces to relax in and enjoy, thanks to the efforts of Garden Re-Leaf Day.”
Greenfingers will put the funds raised towards its Rosy Cheeks Appeal – which aims to raise £750,000 to build at least ten more hospice gardens over the next two years. Matthew Wilson added: “We have the ambitious aim of building at least ten new gardens in the next two years. This money will help us to build the first five, at Little Havens Hospice in Essex, Ellenor Lions Hospice in Kent, Chestnut Tree House in Sussex, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice in Yorkshire and Horizon House in Belfast.”
Events offered nationally by Garden Re-Leaf Day in 2013 included a range of plant and product special offers from manufacturers and suppliers; a Celebrity Gardening Quiz featuring questions from Pippa Greenwood, Toby Buckland, Christine Walkden, David Domoney, Joe Swift, Matthew Biggs, Bob Flowerdew and Peter Seabrook; and a Horticultural Trades Association (HTA)-run National Gardening Gift Voucher competition called ‘Find The Winning Plot’.Garden centres and suppliers across the UK also ran their own activities locally, including customer promotions, sponsored challenges, competitions, school planting activities and community garden makeovers.
For more details of what happened on Garden Re-Leaf Day 2013, visit www.gardenreleaf.co.uk. To explore opportunities for supporting the 2014 event as a supplier, or participating as a retailer, email info@gardenreleaf.co.uk
To become involved in the Greenfingers Rosy Cheeks Appeal or to donate, please contact 01494 674749 or email info@greenfingerscharity.org.uk
