Mary Berry launches The Great British Garden Party

PRESS RELEASE:
August 2020

Mary Berry, President of the National Garden Scheme, has launched a major event that will celebrate the importance that everyone’s gardens have acquired during Coronavirus and to raise vital funds for the nursing charities supported by the National Garden Scheme.

Speaking about this exciting initiative Mary said: “Gardens, allotments and balconies became havens for millions of people during the long weeks of lockdown. They have provided us with relief from stress, anxiety and isolation and shown us the importance of a breath of fresh air. At the same time, the nursing charities supported by the National Garden Scheme, like Marie Curie and the Queen’s Nursing Institute, have been heroically on the front line of the pandemic.

“So to celebrate your gardens and to give much needed support to these nurses, the National Garden Scheme is launching The Great British Garden Party. During the week of 14th – 20th September, the charity is inviting everyone to host an event in their garden. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share your own outdoor space – whatever it’s like – to remind yourself what a huge comfort it has been in recent months and to share those memories with friends, family and neighbours. Every penny will help, big or small.

“I’ll be hosting my own tea party with my family and friends. Make cakes, have fun and help us to support these wonderful nursing charities.”

Whether you choose to host an al fresco lunch, an afternoon tea party, prosecco by candlelight or a plant sale in your front garden, everyone can join in and help raise funds for the nursing charities whose work continues during the Covid-19 pandemic. They are caring for people living with cancer whose treatments were cancelled, looking after people isolated at home for months, or offering palliative care in hospices.

George Plumptre, Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme added, “Coronavirus has brought terrible challenges and real tragedy for many people. In the face of such adversity our gardens have assumed a wholly new importance and we want to capture this while it is still fresh in everyone’s minds. At the same time, the nursing charities that the National Garden Scheme supports have made a formidable – but largely unsung – contribution through the pandemic and we want everyone to join us in thanking them.”

Joining The Great British Garden Party this September couldn’t be simpler..

For more information, including invitations and posters as well as menu and party inspiration (available from August 10) all you need to do is register your interest and sign up to host an event at: ngs.org.uk/gardenparty

Invite your friends and family to join you in a celebration of your garden while helping to raise funds for vital nursing charities and be part of something special.

For FAQs relating to hosting a safe, socially distanced event click here