Fryer's Garden Centre Goes Potty for Greenfingers!
24th March 2016
Fryer’s Garden Centre, part of the Blue Diamond group, took part in a 24 hour Plant-a-thon in order to raise funds for Greenfingers, a charity that create magical garden spaces for children’s hospices throughout the UK.
On Friday, 18th to Saturday 19th March, volunteers from all corners of the Blue Diamond group of garden centres rallied together and potted 1,350 bare root roses in the space of 24 hours. These roses will be sold in all Blue Diamond centre’s from the end of April / beginning of May with proceeds going to Greenfingers.
Blue Diamond’s Managing Director, Alan Roper, who also volunteered at the event, said: “We know Greenfingers has a waiting list of hospices that need their help and so by making this donation ahead of plant sales, we will be helping Greenfingers create more gardens for children who spend time in hospices now.”
The event was a great success with live broadcasts from Radio Manchester on the Saturday, where they interviewed Sam Youd, former Head Gardener at Tatton Park and now Chairman of Cheshire Gardens of Distinction and Bijal Mistry, Garden Centre Manager of Fryer’s Garden Centre. Throughout the day, children also enjoyed taking part in ‘Little Acorns’, an entertaining and nurturing children’s gardening club that introduces little ones to the world of gardening, run exclusively at selected Blue Diamond Garden Centres.
Linda Petrons from Greenfingers was delighted with Blue Diamond’s efforts in supporting the Charity: 'This is fantastic news and so very generous of the Blue Diamond Group to donate. The funds raised during the Plant-a-thon will make a huge difference to the overall Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day total for this year and to have the support of all the Blue Diamond Centres next year will be amazing. Our quest to recruit 50 centres next year to take part in the Plant-athon is now well underway so thank you!'
Blue Diamond would like to extend special thanks to Fryer’s Manager, Bijal Mistry and Furniture Manager Tom McCullough who both worked the full 24 hours potting roses; Jill Kerr, Nursery Export and Trade Business Manager for her help with organising the event and her daughters, who sold cookies to help raise money; the Mayor of Knutsford for attending and showing his support; Sam Youd, and his son James, who is the Gardener for Arley Hall; Jo Randlo from Chester Zoo; and Peter Lofthouse, Champion Gooseberry Grower, who not only helped potting the roses but also hosted a very interesting ‘Gardeners Question Time’.
Lastly, Blue Diamond would like to thank all those who supported this event and look forward to participating next year. Donations can still be made through www.justgiving.com/BlueDiamond. The special Charity Roses will be sold for £12.99 while stocks last at all Blue Diamond Garden Centres from the end of April / beginning of May. Customers can also telephone Fryer’s Roses on 01565 755455 or order in-store for collection in early May.