As GIMA’s chosen charity for 2019, Greenfingers has been the beneficiary of the many fundraising activities that the trade association has undertaken throughout the year. From the Charity Day, to the glittering GIMA Awards, in total GIMA has raised in excess of £20,000 for the charity – a fitting tribute in what is Greenfingers’ 20th anniversary year!

Chosen as the 2019 charity by GIMA’s President, Richard Pyrah, the GIMA members have enjoyed a host of opportunities to dig deep in aid of the Greenfingers charity throughout the year.  The GIMA Charity Day kick started proceedings, with 18 teams fighting it out to be crowned the 2019 golf champions, whilst over at Lilleshall Cricket Club teams tackled the infamous Crystal Maze. A three-course dinner, entertainment and an auction rounded off proceedings, with a magnificent £8,000 raised throughout the day.

Next up was GIMA’s biggest ever fundraising event – and personal challenge for those taking part – the GIMA Wing Walk. The first attempt was thwarted by a technical glitch that delayed proceedings by several weeks. But come late June, GIMA’s Vicky Nuttall, Evergreen Garden Care’s Mark Portland, and SBM Life Science’s Lowri Walker, took to the skies strapped to the roof of a vintage bi-plane for a day none of them will ever forget!  Collectively Vicky, Mark and Lowri raised a staggering £10k.

The glittering jewel in GIMA’s fundraising crown was – as always – the annual GIMA Awards. Held at Celtic Manor during a beautiful July day, the awards offered many opportunities for guests to contribute to GIMA’s fundraising total. A table raffle, with prizes kindly supplied by Hozelock, saw the money pour in. Whilst the More People sponsored main raffle kept wallets and purses out as attendees strove for one more chance to win, with the total raised by the two raffles far exceeding £3,000! Greenfingers’ Chairman, John Ashley, also took pride of place on stage during the awards, receiving a £8,000 cheque from GIMA President, Richard Pyrah, which was raised during the GIMA Charity Golf Day.

Talking about the money raised throughout 2019, GIMA’s Director Vicky Nuttall said: “I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone that has taken part in one of our many fundraising activities this year. Raising over £20,000 for Greenfingers is an achievement we should all be so proud of, especially as we know the difference this money will make to life limited children and their families. I’d also like to congratulate Greenfingers on reaching such a milestone anniversary – 20 years! We look forward to supporting you throughout the next 20!”

Linda Petrons, Greenfingers’ Director of Fundraising & Communications, added: “From the bottom of our hearts – thank you to GIMA and all its members for their continued support. £20,000 is a huge sum of money, and we are so incredibly grateful. This donation will help us to create even more magical gardens and to help bring many more smiles to life-limited children and their families.”

To find out more about Greenfingers Charity please visit www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk.