The Greenfingers Charity is delighted to welcome Fran Barnes (HTA) and Tony Kersey (GIMA) as Trustees, following confirmation of their appointments at its Annual General Meeting on Thursday 29th October 2026.
Both are well-known and respected figures within the garden industry, bringing valuable experience, connections and a shared commitment to the charity's work creating therapeutic gardens at children's hospices across the UK.
Boyd Douglas-Davies, Chairman of Greenfingers Charity, said: "It is a pleasure to welcome Fran and Tony to the Board. Their skills and perspectives will complement those of our existing Trustees and help us build on the extraordinary goodwill shown to Greenfingers over many years.
"As we look ahead, we want to strengthen existing partnerships, introduce more people to the charity and show the lasting difference our gardens make. For children with life-limiting conditions, their families and the hospice teams who care for them, time outdoors can offer moments of calm, happiness and togetherness. Fran and Tony's support will help us bring those opportunities to more children's hospices across the UK."
Fran Barnes said: "Greenfingers brings comfort and joy to children and families facing unimaginably difficult times. I'm delighted to join the Board and look forward to helping the charity share the impact of its gardens and encourage more people to get involved."
Tony Kersey added: "The garden industry has shown time and again what it can achieve when it comes together for Greenfingers. It's a privilege to become a Trustee, and I'm looking forward to building on that wonderful support to help more hospice communities benefit from these special outdoor spaces."
Fran and Tony join Boyd, Treasurer Richard Capewell and fellow Trustees Tammy Woodhouse, Alastair Peat, Sue Allen, Heidi Towse, David Carey, Roger Head and Rob Jones. Founder President Richard Jackson also continues to champion and support the charity's work.
Their appointments come at a pivotal moment, as Greenfingers builds support for its Healing Hand, Helping Hearts Appeal, which aims to raise £1 million annually to create and maintain therapeutic hospice gardens. Garden Re-Leaf Day on 12th March 2027 will be a key moment in that campaign, uniting supporters across the garden industry and beyond.
To learn more about the Greenfingers Charity, its hospice garden projects and the people behind its work, visit www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk.
