Fundraising Success Against The Odds For Garden Group 2020 has been the most challenging year for fundraising globally due to the covid pandemic. Despite this the team behind Thetford Open Gardens has managed to raise an astonishing £5620.40 for St Nicholas Hospice Care this year. In March it became clear that the annual event would not be able to go ahead as the country went into lockdown and events of all kind were cancelled across the country. Disappointed and desperately worried about the Hospice, Suzanne suggested that they continue with the plants sales from her front garden. “We thought people would be able to use their one exercise session a day to come along and pick up a plant as it was the beginning of spring. Our supporters had plants ready for our annual sale, so it seemed like a good way to raise something for the Hospice”. To their great surprise with the closure of garden centres people keep coming for plants each day. With restrictions lifting in early June, the ladies decided to create something to mark Thetford Open Gardens Day as it’s such a popular event in Thetford’s social calendar. They knew opening gardens would be impossible with the restrictions and were mindful that it could also cause an outbreak locally. Cakes are one of the highlights of the event, so the idea of a virtual cake sale was born. People were able to pre-order slices or whole cakes to be collected on June 28th. The weather was kind and Rachel, Karen and Susie spent the day handing over orders whilst Suzanne who was shielding remained in the kitchen preparing orders. A staggering 80 cakes were baked for the event, the Mayor, Cllr Mark Robinson popped along to say hello and around £2,000 was raised on the day. Andy Temple hosted several pop up salvia sales over the summer months adding to the total.
Miranda McCoy from St Nicholas Hospice Care who works closely with the Thetford Open Gardens team
With the current covid situation the organising team have decided to close this year’s fundraising efforts but are delighted with the amount they have raised. “To get over £5,000 from nothing is pretty good, we’d like to thank everyone who has donated plants, brought plants and cakes, took part in the virtual gardens online or made a donation. We’re looking forward to coming back next year” said Rachel. Meanwhile Miranda McCoy who supports Thetford Open Gardens on behalf of St Nicholas Hospice Care said, “We’re very, very grateful and I’m very proud of the Thetford Open Gardens team. We are so impressed that despite everything going on, the plant and cake sale has been outstanding. Absolutely brilliant!” With the usual Girls Night Out event replaced by a virtual walk this year, Miranda donned her bunny ears and joined it to help with the fundraising. If you would like to donate please visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ miranda-mccoy1
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