Charity | Posted on December 10th, 2024 | return to news
More than £3 million raised for National Garden Scheme
More than 100 private gardens in Dorset are open to visitors through the National Garden Scheme, which raised a record amount for charity in 2024.
The National Garden Scheme gives visitors access to over 3,500 private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Channel Islands, including 113 private gardens in Dorset. When you visit a garden opened under the National Garden Scheme, you are helping to fund charities and in 2024 a record £3,501,227 was raised.
The impact of these donations to major nursing and health beneficiaries means that thousands of people who live with health conditions such as cancer or Parkinson’s, who have poor mental health, or who struggle financially as unpaid carers, have been supported by the scheme’s funding of the nurses, health professionals and case workers who support them. The funding has also provided support to those in the Gardens and Health sector along with Community Gardens and also supported gardeners through traineeships.
The lion’s share, £2,550,000, goes to some of the UK’s best-loved nursing and health charities, many of which have continued to provide vital support to the NHS and communities across the UK in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and who are now struggling to provide services in the current cost of living crisis.
The long-term nature of funding from the National Garden Scheme allows these charities to continue the provision of critical community nursing services, end of life care, and respite for families and carers across the UK. The impact of this long-term commitment was celebrated in 2024 by the milestone of 40 years of continuous funding for Macmillan Cancer Support, during which time NGS has given them more than £19.6 million.
National Garden Scheme Chairman Rupert Tyler said: “As the nation’s health and social care system continues to battle with the long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and with deeply embedded systemic challenges, the contribution of the charities that we support has been increasingly vital.
“Their reach and impact, in cancer and end of life care, in community health and nursing and in particular areas such as people living with Parkinson’s, is immense and we are proud to be a major long-term supporter of them all.”
The National Garden Scheme relies primarily on the income generated by admission at its garden gates and through the sale of plants, teas and cake at these gardens. Additional income streams include donations, sponsorship and advertising, fundraising events and commercial partnerships.
Chief Executive George Plumptre said: “In 2024, the owners of nearly 3,500 gardens opened, once again giving us the most fabulous commitment and raising another record amount. Together with the support they are given by our county team members this is a remarkable example of the power of volunteers who are so vital for charities like ours. In addition to their fundraising operation, throughout the year our gardens gave immense enjoyment and relaxation to the thousands of people who visited.
“Many of our garden owners have a strong affinity with one or more of our beneficiaries, for whom we know that the long-term continuity of our funding year on year is a key quality in the support we give them. It is very unusual and something of which we are enormously proud.”
The National Garden Scheme is looking ahead with optimism and the opening of over 3,300 gardens across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands in 2025.
Locally, Manor Farm at Hampreston will be opened under the NGS on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 March.
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