The third annual Garden Re-Leaf walk takes place in Cambridge today.   A record breaking 104 walkers will be meeting at Scotsdales, Cambridge, looking to rake in over £10,000 for Greenfingers Charity and spread awareness for the garden industry’s main fundraising day

Walkers this year will choose from two routes – 10 or 20 miles – taking in the sights of Jesus college and Cambridge University botanical gardens, with a special detour for those with dogs.  Both routes start at Scotsdales Horningsea at 10am, and finish at Scotsdales Great Shelford

Supporters

The main sponsors of the walk are Scotsdales, who as well as hosting the start and finish of the fundraiser, and entering a team of walkers to take part, will also be staging some fundraising of their own at the finish line.  Top Milton Keynes ladies rower Heidi Towse will be rowing the full 20 mile route throughout the day, fundraising in front of customers with the aid of a static rowing machine in the Great Shelford store.

Solex organisers LOFA (the Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association), and Outback will also be providing a special barbecue at the finish line to inspire hungry walkers!

Kelkay and Garden Trade News are sponsoring the T-shirts being worn by participants, which will feature logos from the other 2017 sponsors.

Briers will be issuing a free pair of Greenfingers gloves to every participant, to help aid awareness for the day as everyone takes to Twitter and Instagram with their #Gluvies photos.

Cadix are sponsoring one of the support vehicles that will weave between various points of the route, helping where needed.

SBM Life Sciences are sponsoring the medals – a first for any Garden Re-Leaf Day event – as well as manning one of the water stations.

Hozelock are sponsoring goodie bags.

Quinton Edwards – the garden industry property specialists are supplying a driver and car to support the Greenfingers team.

Greenfingers Head of Fundraising, Linda Petrons, said: “The Garden Re-Leaf walk, especially with the two separate routes we’re running this year, can cost a lot of time and money in terms of organising and logistics. Getting T-shirts made, refreshments and support vehicles for example all cost money - so we are of course humbled by the generosity from all of our supporters this year.”

The list of walkers include

Jackie Eades                     Briers 

Charlotte Prentice          Briers 

Matt Jackson                    Briers 

Mandy James                   Briers 

Sharmini Martin              Briers 

Tristan Sissons                 Briers 

Lolly Lee                            The Orangery 

Kate Ebbens                     Cadix 

Heather Black                  Cadix 

Danni Faulkner                Cadix 

Peter Guinness                Cadix 

Alison Hawker                 Cadix 

Rebecca Hawker             Cadix 

Robert Montano             Cadix 

Caroline Smith                 Cadix 

Doug Hill                           Cadix 

Jason Perrins                    Gardman 

Gemma King                     Gardman 

Vicky Nuttall                    GIMA 

Craig Hall                           Deco-Pak 

Richard Pyrah                   Kelkay 

Al Shepherd                      Kelkay 

John Ducker                     Kelkay 

Simon McArdle                Westlands

Tom Clamp                        Westlands (+20 walkers TBC)

Natalie Searle                  Crest Garden

Kim Huynh                        Crest Garden

Darren Brown                  SBM Life-Sciences

Lisa Barrow                       SBM Life-Sciences

Tim Jeffries                       Mr Fothergill's 

David Carey                      Mr Fothergill's 

Ian Cross                           Mr Fothergill's 

Alison Roberts                 Mr Fothergill's 

Alison Mulvaney             Mr Fothergill's 

Richard Keegan                Mr Fothergill's 

Samantha Broadway      Mr Fothergill's 

Ralph Fitter                      Vitax 

Simon Quinton Smith    Quinton Edwards

Trevor & Karen Pfeiffer   GTN

Kimberley Hornby          Hornby Whitefoot

Heidi Towse                      Frosts Garden Centre 

David Nicholson              Elho 

Craig Keyworth                Elho 

Adam Last                         Elho 

Louise Haskins                 Elho 

Bobby Fisher                    Elho 

Chris Houfe                       Great British Cards

Alyson Haywood             Alyson Haywood

Matthew Mein                Ascential (Glee)

Fernanda Pinto                Ascential (Glee)

Boyd Douglas Davies     Greenfingers Trustee 

20 Walkers TBC                Kew Green Hotels

Nicholas Clarkson           Scotsdales

Jennifer Ferro                   Scotsdales

Shelagh Ward                  Scotsdales

Peter Jackson                   Scotsdales

Jane Lawler                      Jane Lawler Assocs

Paul Steane                      Scomac

Linda Petrons, Head of Fundraising at Greenfingers Charity added: “The walk is open to absolutely anyone, whether you’re working in or alongside the garden industry as the list demonstrates.  It’s a great opportunity to raise funds, excellent for team building and a good way to spend time with colleagues and acquaintances away from the office.”

All of the money raised from the walk and many other Garden Re-Leaf Day events this year will once again go towards Greenfingers’ ‘A Million Moments Appeal’.  Greenfingers aims to raise £1 million under the banner of the A Million Moments appeal over three years to enable at least 5,000 children who spend time in hospices, and their families, to enjoy spending precious time together outdoors.