Friends and supporters of Greenfingers Charity came together for another night of celebrations and vital fundraising at the charity’s annual FUNdraising dinner.

Hosted at the prestigious RAF Club in the heart of London’s Mayfair, the event saw 100 friends and supporters of Greenfingers dig deep to help raise more than £18,000 during the evening.

The evening was supported by the charity’s patrons, actors Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton (below, left and right), who led festivities that included a fiercely fought auction as well a touch of Downton Abbey.  Highclere Castle Gin, a Downton Abbey goody bag and a special Downton Abbey themed game of ‘heads or tails’ put guests’ knowledge of the award-winning film to the test.

During the evening, a number of Greenfingers supporters were awarded special trophies for their support:.  See photos in the GTN Xtra gallery below.

• PR Ambassador John Clowes who helped raise over £20,000 from his articles in The People’s Friend magazine.
• GIMA’s Vicky Nuttall, Kimberley Hornby of Hornby Whitefoot PR and Glee’s Matthew Mein (left to right above, holding their trophies), who earlier this year completed their 100th Garden Re-Leaf Day mile while raising thousands of pounds for the charity.
• Richard Pyrah, president of GIMA, whose support saw more than £20,000 raised by members through its  wing walkers, the annual GIMA Charity Day, the GIMA Awards and more.

The team at Kew Green Hotels were also celebrated, having completed endless challenges and events for Greenfingers, including the unstoppable Helen Barker who has now run more than 1,000 miles for the charity, 52 of them in the Sahara as part of a gruelling double marathon. The Kew Green team presented a cheque for an incredible £350,000 to the charity, representing money raised by hotel teams across the country since the charity partnership began in 2016.

During the evening, The Horticultural Golf Society also presented a cheque for £8,000, raised at their annual golf day. 

Greenfingers chairman John Ashley thanked the patrons, for helping to make the evening a joyous and memorable occasion, Vitax for sponsoring the Champagne reception and all who donated auction and raffle prizes.  “Our annual dinner isn’t just about raising money, but it is also an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the amazing work that our wonderful supporters undertake to help Greenfingers create stunning garden spaces at hospices throughout the UK…We cannot thank our friends enough for choosing Greenfingers as the horticultural industry’s favourite charity,” he said.

Linda Petrons, Greenfingers’ director of fundraising & communications, said: “We never get over the fact that so many individuals and brands take the time to support Greenfingers, whether by giving their time, digging deep into their pockets or taking on massive personal challenges. Every penny we receive is put to very good use, and I can assure you that the life-limited children who call a hospice ‘home’, as well as their families and friends, appreciate every precious moment these gardens help to create.