£9,600 raised as Pansies beat Cabbages in 4th Annual Greenfingers Challenge Cup
A staggering £9,600 was raised on the eve of the Garden Centre Association Winter Conference at Blackpool when a team of garden centres (Pansies) beat a side made up of suppliers (Cabbages) in the 4th Annual Greenfingers Challenge Cup.
The event, made up of a series of fun events followed by fish-and-chips and bingo, was the curtain-raiser for the two-day conference, with all the proceeds going the industry's charity, Greenfingers.
And it was the Pansies team captained by Guy Topping, from Barton Grange Garden Centre, which snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, winning by 20 points to 15, after being 15-5 behind at one stage and needing to win all of the final three games (5 points was awarded for each event victory).
"We were staring defeat in the face but my team reacted in the best possible way by refusing to give up," said Guy, whose team retained the trophy after last year's win. "I'm very proud of the team because everyone contributed to this victory."
Defeated Cabbages captain Danny Adamson, from Sinclairs, who helped to organise the events with Guy, said: "I'm disappointed with result, particularly as we were so far in front but we've had a great day.
"We've received the best support ever from sponsorship and also people turning up to take part. It has been brilliant."
It had been hoped to hold the Annual Greenfingers Challenge Cup on Blackpool beach opposite the Hilton Hotel, where the GCA conference is taking place but a combination of high tides and bad weather forced the activities in doors.
The first event - a relay race - did take place outside as competitors braced the biting wind to run up and down the promenade.
The proceeds from the day were handed over by Danny and Guy to Deborah Skillicorn, charity director of Greenfingers, who said: "It has been a fantastic day. The amount of money from this one event is outstanding, simply incredible.
"The money will be used to help build two gardens in 2014 at children's hospices in Essex and Yorkshire. I would like to personally thank the organisers, the sponsors and everyone for taking part."
