"On Friday, hundreds of you will host quizzes, garden tours, cake sales, Plant-athons and post #gluvies - all in celebration of Garden Re-Leaf Day 2017.
"To drum up support we like to think of Garden Re-Leaf Day as a great way to kick start that all important early spring buzz in garden centres – but what does your support really mean to our small but impactful national charity?
"First of all, I must take this opportunity to thank you all so much for registering to take part in this year’s event. We have once again been overwhelmed by the generosity of those who have signed up to support Garden Re-Leaf Day, which is the main fundraising day for our ‘A Million Moments’ campaign, aiming to raise £1m to benefit more than 5,000 individuals that would benefit from our hospice gardens.
"Whether you have taken part before or are joining in for the first time - you are all helping to give the gift of a garden - a sanctuary, a playground, a place to reflect and remember - to life-limited children and their families who rely on hospice care.
"By supporting Garden Re-Leaf Day, you are helping Greenfingers make a real difference to families that face the unbearable each and every day. Forced apart by circumstance, having to spend time with their child in a hospice when they would much rather a normal life together under the same roof, something most of us take for granted.
"With the funds that you raise through Garden Re-Leaf Day, we can’t solve these issues – but, like the hospices themselves, we are able to make things that much easier for patients and their families.
"With at least five more new children’s hospice gardens currently in the planning, build or design stages, the money you raise is being put to work as we speak. We’re currently on site at Keech Hospice Care (Luton) and Helen House (Oxford), as well as planning new gardens at Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice (Maidenhead), Grace House (Sunderland), Robin House on the banks of Loch Lomond and St Andrew’s Hospice (Grimbsy), with more waiting in the wings for our help.
"It is only due to the generosity of you, our supporters that we can continue our work creating magical, inspiring and therapeutic gardens - so thank you so very much for being part of Garden Re-Leaf Day and for helping Greenfingers Charity continue to its work with children’s hospices."
Find out more
Linda Petrons is Head of Fundraising and Communications at Greenfingers, and can be contacted by emailinglinda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or calling the Greenfingers office on 01494 674749. If you still need to register your event you can fill in the simple form available on line at www.gardenreleaf.co.uk/register-an-event.
All of the money raised from Garden Re-Leaf Day fundraising 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.
