A new year often heralds an influx of resolutions that are often broken before the end of January. However, for one Greenfingers Charity supporter, Kate Ebbens, giving up is not an option as she has vowed to spend her 2024 running every single day with the aim of raising thousands for the children’s hospice garden charity.

A long-term and active Ambassador for Greenfingers and MD of Cadix UK Ltd, Kate has set herself an ambitious challenge. Every single day, no matter the weather or her mood, she will put on her running shoes and will tackle a run whether home or abroad. Each month, Kate will also participate in a 10k public run. 

To keep morale high and to ensure that Kate keeps putting one foot in front of the other will be 12 monthly garden centre sponsors, with St Peter’s Garden Centre kickstarting proceedings in January.

For a sponsorship fee of just £400, each garden centre can sponsor Kate’s efforts one month at a time. Every month Kate will run in a t-shirt emblazoned with that month’s sponsors logo with plenty of social media content to promote their involvement. During the public races, Kate will also ensure that all the event publicity is notified of her Greenfingers challenge and the relevant sponsor to further expand the reach of her fundraising efforts.

Every sponsor will also join the role of honour, forever adorning Kate’s running vest. They will also enjoy a shout-out via social media, and Kate’s dedicated JustGiving page.

Here's Kate's day one account of her 365-day running on a very sunny New Years Day:

"Running with my pink St Peters T-Shirt, I certainly got noticed on the roads! Ran over 6KM which is more than planned but was enjoying a dry sunny day instead of all the rain we have had the last 10 days.  Have 6 Garden centres now confirm their months they want to support and St Peters have started my Just Giving page off with a bang and now 5% into my target of £10,000 by the end of the year. "

Since the soft launch of her 365-challenge at the recent Greenfingers Charity Fundraising dinner, Kate has already garnered support from a wide range of garden centres including Ayletts, Tong Garden Centre, Klondyke, Perrywood Garden Centres, British Garden Centres, and Scotsdales. However, with their involvement alongside the team at St Peter's Garden, that does mean five months remain unsponsored. Could you become one of the remaining sponsors?

Not one to rest on her laurels, Kate will be taking her run on the road to several events, so expect to see her at everything from the GCA Conference to the GIMA Day Conference and Golf Days, as well as Glee and the GIMA Awards. And if you do see her, don’t forget to add a few pounds to her fundraising total!

Talking about her mammoth 2024, Kate said: “It never ceases to amaze me just how much of an impact a Greenfingers garden can have upon those that spend time in them. Whether it’s the children that call the hospice ‘home’, their family and friends or the hospice staff, these spaces are a place of magic, memory and love. Being able to play a part in the continuation of Greenfingers’ work is frankly an honour and I hope that my 365-day running challenge might inspire others to push the boundaries when it comes to supporting the charity.”

Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications at the Greenfingers Charity, added: “The biggest thank you to Kate for your amazing fundraising plans in 2024. Kate has consistently supported and advocated for Greenfingers and to now be the reason for such a physically demanding challenge is truly heartening. 

“To those who have confirmed their support of Kate’s running challenge in 2024, thanks must also go to you. And to all those who will inevitably dig deep through the year, thank you also. Every single penny does make a difference so whether it’s £1 or £1,000, please know that you’ll be helping Kate to stay motivated, whilst also providing a peaceful garden retreat for the thousands of children that enjoy time in a Greenfingers garden.”

Show your support for Kate

With £4,800 earmarked from garden centre sponsorship, Kate is hoping to raise as much as £10,000 over the next 365 days.

To show your support please visit her JustGiving page*, or look out for her at forthcoming industry events.

You can also follow her progress by following Greenfingers on social media - https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/, @GreenfingersCha on Twitter, and @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

* https://www.justgiving.com/page/kate-ebbens-1701443565987?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fkate-ebbens-1701443565987&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share