Commenting on his new ambassadorial role with the NGS, Danny Clarke, garden designer and self-confessed ‘friend of the earth’, said: “I feel humbled and honoured to be an ambassador for the National Garden Scheme who do fantastic work raising funds for worthwhile causes. It’s amazing that they have donated over £63 million to nursing, health and gardening charities over the years thanks to the generosity of garden owners up and down the country who open their outside spaces for the public to view and enjoy.”Danny’s belief that having access to a garden is a right, not a privilege, fits with the National Garden Scheme top strategic priorities that everyone is equal in a garden, that gardens reflect the rich diversity of humans and nature and that gardens should offer the same inclusive welcome to everyone.

George Plumptre, CEO of the National Garden Scheme said: “We are all delighted that Danny has agreed to join us as an ambassador. His enthusiasm for the power of gardens and gardening to do good, not only for individuals and communities but for the wider wellbeing of the planet, fits perfectly with our work at the National Garden Scheme.

“One project in particular that he will help support is our expanding community gardens programme and we will be announcing our 2022 community gardens grants in a few weeks’ time.

“Having Danny on board will help highlight and expand the diversity of our gardens and encourage more people to discover the pleasures of visiting gardens.”