The Greenfingers Charity brought fundraising energy to this year’s Garden Press Event with a special Kilimanjaro Grand Raffle Draw, helping to drive momentum behind its upcoming Kilimanjaro challenge and the creation of a brand-new children’s hospice garden.
 
Sponsored by Blue Diamond Garden Centres, the charity raffle saw attendees come together to support the cause, with all winners receiving Blue Diamond gift vouchers. Greenfingers supporters and Kilimanjaro trekkers Kate Ebbens, Heidi Baylis Towse and Tara Adams were on hand throughout the event selling raffle tickets, while Greenfingers Patron, Jim Carter, joined the team to lead the special draw.
 
The Kilimanjaro Grand Raffle Draw raised almost £400, providing a valuable boost to the overall fundraising campaign and demonstrating the continued support of the garden industry community.
 
Alan Roper, Managing Director of Blue Diamond Garden Centres, said:
“Supporting Greenfingers aligns perfectly with our values as a garden centre group. Gardens have the power to heal, to connect and to uplift and the spaces Greenfingers creates make a meaningful difference to families facing incredibly challenging circumstances. We were pleased to donate vouchers to help Heidi Towse raise funds for her Kilimanjaro trek and awareness for such an important cause.”
 
The raffle formed part of the trekkers wider fundraising efforts ahead of the Kilimanjaro trek, which will see a dedicated group of supporters take on Africa’s highest peak to raise vital funds for Greenfingers’ therapeutic garden projects. To date, the trekkers have collectively raised more than £56,000, with further support welcomed via the campaign page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/greenfingers-kilimanjaro2026
 
Turning fundraising into a lasting legacy for families at Naomi House & Jack’s Place
Funds raised from the challenge will go directly towards creating a new Greenfingers garden at Naomi House & Jack’s Place, a children’s hospice in Winchester. Set to become Greenfingers’ 75th garden, the project marks an important milestone in the charity’s ongoing work transforming hospice outdoor spaces across the UK.
 
Designed by award-winning garden designer Helen Elks-Smith, with early design stages already underway, the new garden will transform existing lawned areas into a welcoming, inclusive outdoor environment for children, siblings, parents and hospice staff alike. Carefully shaped to support both play and quiet reflection, the space will provide families with somewhere to step outside together – a place to breathe, connect and create precious memories away from the pressures of indoor care.
 
This garden will also serve as the central focus of Greenfingers’ 2026 Kilimanjaro fundraising challenge, with trekkers undertaking the climb to help bring the space to life. Their efforts will turn extraordinary personal challenges into a lasting legacy for the children and families who will use the garden for years to come.
 
Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications at Greenfingers Charity, said: “The Garden Press Event was a wonderful opportunity to bring the industry together in support of the Kilimanjaro challenge. Every contribution helps us move closer to creating our 75th garden at Naomi House and Jack’s Place – a space that will provide comfort, joy and meaningful moments for children and families.”
 
The Greenfingers Charity relies on the continued support of businesses, individuals and industry partners to create life-enhancing gardens at children’s hospices across the UK. These gardens offer opportunities for play, reflection and connection with nature, adding life to shortened years and creating lasting memories when they matter most.
 
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