Horticultural industry charity Perennial says it aims to mark its 180th anniversary by reaching more people with its tailored one-to-one support services than ever before.
An attendance of more than 160 the recent Party for Perennial, now in its fifth year, demonstrates strong cross-sector support for the charity, with many businesses and individuals already signed up to take part in fundraising events and partnership activities this year.
This year’s campaign will include a number of new challenge events, including the Marathon Month (see below and click here for further details) https://perennial.org.uk/events/perennials-marathon-month/, a virtual event that will take place in June.
Peter Newman, Perennial’s Chief Executive said: “We talk regularly to our supporters and the people who know about Perennial but our challenge this year is to reach the people who are struggling but don’t know that Perennial is here and ready to help. Our Party for Perennial brings people together from across the wider industry giving us the opportunity to thank them for their support, as well as making new connections and talking to more people about what we do. We have 180 years’ experience of helping people in horticulture and we are in a strong position to continue to grow and increase the help we offer.”
Anita Bates, Perennial’s Director of Marketing and Fundraising comments: “We know that by forging deep-rooted partnerships with horticulture businesses we can continue to help the people who need us most. These partnerships help us spread the word about how we help and allow us to raise funds to continue our work. We have a busy 2019 lined up with fundraising challenge events, gardens at flower shows, our growing Perennial Fellowship and other new initiatives for businesses to get involved in our work. And our message is simple, the more support we receive, the more people we can help.”
Perennial is challenging people to take part in its Marathon Month during June, where people can run or walk a marathon in their own time with the target of raising £180 in sponsorship. The marathon can be done either in one go or gradually over the course of the month. Participants track their distance via an exercise app and there is a leader board for the more competitive.
Following the success of Perennial’s first overseas challenge event last year, three fund-raising trips are available this year – trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu; climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or cycling from Ho Chi Minh to Angkor Wat.
Closer to home, those with a head for heights can abseil down the ArcelorMittal Orbit Tower in the Olympic Park in April and there are spaces available for fundraisers to enter the Great North Run, the UK’s biggest half marathon.
To sign up for any fundraising activities, visit the website www.perennial.org.uk
