Top garden centres sign up for 24 hour ‘Plant-athon’
 |
The 24-hour ‘Plant-athon’ challenge has captured the imagination - and full support - of eight of the UK’s top retail figures ahead of Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day on Friday 18th March 2016.
Each garden centre signing up to the fundraising effort will begin their Plant-athons at 4pm on Thursday 17th and finish at 4pm on Friday the 18th.
Andy Bunker (Alton Garden Centre), Bob Hewitt (Klondyke), Alan Roper (Blue Diamond Group) and Greenfingers trustee Boyd Douglas-Davies (Hillview) will be using their own centres to showcase their fundraising efforts.
Andy McIndoe and the President of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture, Andrew Gill, will be joining Dennis Espley at Squire's - who will start and finishing their Plant-athons at the slightly earlier time of 2pm.
Will Armitage has also pledged to take part in the 24hr Plant-athon at a garden centre in the North of England.
After challenging others to get involved at the HTA Garden Futures Conference, Hillview CEO Boyd Douglas-Davies aid: “I’m really looking forward to taking part in the Plant-athon, which is already shaping up to be one of the fundraising highlights of the year - never before have we had so much support so early on in the campaign, but we need more!
"With the charity walk taking place for a second year, the quiz becoming more family orientated, and product promotions from Gardman and Briers, Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day is already shaping up to be the best since we began in 2012.”
 How can I take part in the Plant-athon?
If you want to showcase your garden centre as a major charitable fundraiser - whilst also boosting your saleable stock overnight - then the 24hr Plant-athon is the way to go.
You'll need to first assemble a team that is up for the considerable challenge of planting day and night. Then, you'll need to find a suitable, heated, stage for you to work whilst customers come to visit, help out, learn how to plant, and pledge additional sponsorship.
To generate publicity for your garden centre you might want to invite the local media, particularly your local radio or TV news station to report on the event. In addition, after the event, further funds can be raised from donations from the sale of each plant.
If you want to find out more about how to get involved in Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day 2016, whether by putting on events in your garden centre, through sponsored solo activities or simply by making a donation - contact the Greenfingers office on 01494 674749 or email sarah@greenfingerscharity.org.uk
|
|
