Greenfingers, which was set up by members of the gardening industry, is appealing for members of staff at 100 garden centres across the country to raise £100 per store to help buy a wheelchair access roundabout for a Greenfingers garden.
Deborah Skillicorn, Greenfingers’ Joint Chief Executive, explained: “We wanted to set 100 garden centres across the country a challenge this spring to raise £100 each. This amount of money could enable us to buy a roundabout with wheelchair access for one of the gardens at a children’s hospice on our list. We are calling the initiative Roundabout 100. To install an adapted roundabout will cost £10,000.
“We haven’t included the roundabout on a specific hospice’s garden plan yet because we haven’t guaranteed the funding but we do know that a roundabout is a great central feature for a children’s play garden with enough room.”
Greenfingers creates a variety of different gardens at children’s hospices across the UK according to the hospices individual requirements. The gardens are designed to help the children and their families and friends during a very emotional and difficult time.
Deborah continued: “We are a small charity committed to helping children in hospices, and supporting their families, by creating magical play gardens where siblings can play equally together – whether they use a wheelchair or not. A roundabout that is accessible to everyone will make a great addition to any garden and will be enjoyed by many youngsters for years to come.
“There are many ways to raise £100, for example garden centre staff could host a non-uniform or fancy dress day, alternatively teams could compete in a quiz, do a sponsored 24 hour bicycle ride, offer car washing or donate a day’s holiday. The opportunities are endless and anyone interested in taking part should get in touch and let us know what they have planned.”
Garden centres interested in taking part in Roundabout 100 should contact Melissa Wood, Marketing Co-ordinator for Greenfingers on 01494 674 749 or email
Melissa@greenfingerscharity.org.uk.