Garden centre and industry staff are being invited to sign up for a fundraising event being held at the Garden Centre Association’s annual conference in January 2013.
The GCA Olympics will take place on Sunday, January 27 at the Crowne Plaza Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire to raise money for Greenfingers, which creates gardens at children’s hospices nationwide.
Peter Burks, Chairman of the GCA, explained: “It is tradition to have a fundraising event on the Sunday before the conference begins and we are particularly excited about this year’s event. We all embraced the Olympic spirit earlier this year and we hope that lots of people will keep that feeling going by signing up to take part in our very own version of the event.
“To give it a horticultural feel we have planned some themed events already that will feature, but we are looking for more companies to sponsor the GCA Olympics and put forward their own ideas for a game that links with their products.
“For example, Taylors Bulbs is sponsoring the bulb shot put, Briers is sponsoring the welly throwing and M&M Timber is sponsoring the fencepost tossing.”
Quinton Edwards is sponsoring the archery and William Sinclair and Deadfast the relay race.
There will be 12 events during the day, starting at 2.30pm. There will be a formal medal ceremony, athletes parade and a closing ceremony, which will take place after dinner.
Peter continued: “You don’t need to sponsor an event to take part, we’re just looking for as many people as possible to sign up and participate.
“Guy Topping, Managing Director of Barton Grange Garden Centre will be leading the athletes from the garden centres’ team and Adam Taylor, Director of Taylors Bulbs will be leading the suppliers or associates team. The team that gets the most points overall will win the Greenfingers Challenge Cup.
“To register your interest either for taking part in the GCA Olympics or to enquire about sponsoring an event, please email Pat Adams, GCA Administrator, via pat@gca.org.uk.”
Following the event there will be a supper, which is open to all delegates attending the conference, and people will have the opportunity to raise further funds for Greenfingers through an auction.
Greenfingers was launched in November 1998 by a group of volunteers drawn from all sectors of the gardening industry. Growers, plant breeders, retailers, manufacturers and a host of gardening journalists and celebrities have willingly contributed materials, time and expertise to create gardens at children’s hospices around the UK. To date, Greenfingers has created 39 gardens.
Deborah Skillicorn, Director of Marketing and Fundraising at Greenfingers, said: “We are delighted that the GCA will be hosting another fundraising spectacular for us in 2013. The GCA and its members’ support is greatly appreciated and we love the creativity of its events.”
The GCA Olympics will take place on Sunday, January 27 at the Crowne Plaza Heythrop Park near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.
The 2013 GCA conference will provide delegates with pertinent information on key aspects of the garden centre industry to assist members in achieving their business goals.
The information shared will focus on a wide range of topics, including merchandising, marketing and management.
For further details about the GCA, please call 01993 871456, visit www.gca.org.uk, log on to www.facebook.com/pages/Garden-Centre-Association or follow the organisation on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GC_Association.
