Get together for a Great British Garden Party
Press release: 11 April 2024
Dame Mary Berry, President of the National Garden Scheme and the Nation’s undisputed Queen of Cakes, is championing the Great British Garden Party as it enters its fifth, delicious year in 2024.
This fundraising event has been designed by the National Garden Scheme to share the Nation’s love of gardens and get-togethers to help raise vital funds for their beneficiaries, some of the UK’s best-loved nursing and health charities, including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, The Queen’s Nursing Institute and Parkinson’s UK.
Speaking about the initiative Dame Mary Berry said: “As President of the wonderful National Garden Scheme, I am delighted to invite you to join me in gathering friends, family and colleagues for a Great British Garden Party this year.
“We’re inviting everyone to get together in their garden, green space or office and to join in the fundraising for the vital nursing and health charities supported by the National Garden Scheme; charities that so many of us, our family and friends often rely on in times of need.
“We’ve been so inspired by previous get-togethers and the ingenious variations on the garden party theme, tailoring events to suit the outside space available and to families and friends and all sharing the real joy of getting together.
“Some party hosts simply threw open their garden gates and invited their neighbours for afternoon tea or morning coffee, making new friends. Others chose to celebrate a special anniversary, gathering friends and family as part of the Great British Garden Party and suggesting a donation in lieu of presents. But your garden get-together could be anything from a barbecue or family bake-off, a picnic in the park or book swap in the office or even a plant and produce sale by the front gate. It doesn’t even have to be in a garden – the choice is yours and everyone can get involved.”
George Plumptre, Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme added: “Gardens and outdoor spaces have never been more important. They provide us all with the perfect place to meet friends and family, to socialise and relax, so using them to support such important health-related causes by holding a Great British Garden Party seems like the perfect opportunity to plan something wonderful. It doesn’t need to be complicated or grand, just invite some friends over, ask them to make a donation, and help make a difference.”
The official Great British Garden Party campaign week is Monday 15th – Sunday 21st July, but you can choose any day across the summer (or autumn or winter!) that is best for you.
Joining the Great British Garden Party couldn’t be simpler.
Sign up on the National Garden Scheme website, invite your guests and the National Garden Scheme event team will support you all the way.
Key facts about The Great British Garden Party:
- It’s open to everyone, not just people who open their gardens for the National Garden Scheme
- It’s completely free to take part
- 100% of all funds raised will go towards the nursing and health charities that the National Garden Scheme supports
- Included in the digital and printed fundraising packs are invitations, posters and social media assets, plus menu and party inspiration and fundraising tips
- Participants can also host their Great British Garden Party outside the core campaign period on a day to suit them
