|
|
On 4th November 2016, I received a letter from More Radio to confirm I had been nominated and subsequently shortlisted for the Fundraiser of the Year Award. Then, at the More Radio Awards Eastbourne, which recognise everything from flourishing businesses, true community spirit, sporting brilliance and individuals with a heart of gold, I was named the winner of their "Fundraiser of the Year" 2016! | ||
MY SUCCESS MADE THE FRONT PAGE OF SEAFORD HERALD ON THE 2ND DECEMBER.
They tweeted the message below.
The event was held in the All Saints Chapel in Eastbourne which was amazing. Anna Bingham, from More Radio, talks to me after the engraved award, above right, had been presented by Brad Miller from Rooms 2 Let, who had sponsored the event.
Below is the short video that More Radio filmed of me in the garden, talking about my fundraising, that was shown at the ceremony. You can read about all my charity fundraising here.
My charity fundraising came about purely by chance. Having been lucky enough to retire early, back in 2004, we moved from London to the coast and I took up gardening. Since 2009, after being persuaded to open my own garden in Seaford to visitors, I’ve managed to raise an incredible £76500 for various charities. I’ve been persuading others to open their gardens too, and in 2012, I set up and now chair the Driftwood Fundraising Group, raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support by organising a trail of up to 30 gardens every Summer from Hove to Eastbourne, with well-known Tv Gardener Christine Walkden as it’s patron. I organise the garden trail, each June, in Seaford for the Mayor’s charities as well. In my spare time, I am also a volunteer for the National Garden Scheme, as both Asst County Organiser and Publicity Officer in East & Mid Sussex, as well as opening my garden for them.
Below is a record of all monies rasied for the various charities since 2009.
My fundraising has been achieved by three routes:
1. Over £23000 from the 115 public openings to date of my own multi award winning garden, Driftwood, including the proceeds from the many by arrangement visits and coach tours.
We’ve seen over 14700 visitors from all over the globe since 2009.
2. In excess of £37000 from the 2 annual garden trails, which I single-handedly organise, for Macmillan Cancer Support’s Horizon Centre in Brighton and the Mayor of Seaford.
3. And over £6500 from the sale of raffle tickets for the annual grand raffle of art, so generously donated by those artists who participate in selling their work at the Lewes
District Council, Artwave Festival at Driftwood each August.
In addition to this there are the tea and coffee sales and the 5500 plus portions of cake that I’ve personally baked, which we have sold in the garden at Driftwood. This represents nearly £10000 which has gone to the charities of the day as well.
Needless to say, none of this would have been possible without the invaluable help and support of my core team of volunteers with a minimum of 4 needed at every garden opening.
Sincere thanks, in no particular order, to Mark Glassman, Barbara Stonebanks, Edna Bradbury, Liz Holland, Linda Wallraven, Celia Hughes, Diane marquess, Michele Findlay, Rosa Botterill, Richard Walsh, Clare Mayers, Alan James, Amanda Haines, Janice & Mario Dennington and Helen Roberts.
Below are some further shots of me and the venue from the glittering evening.
Read about all the award winners on the More Radio web site here.