Gardens open for charity
The gardens are all part of the National Gardens Scheme that, in 2010, raised £2.6 million for charity, including £450,000 donated to Help the Hospices. The National Gardens Scheme has been operating since 1927 and income raised by the garden owners from the openings and from the sale of refreshments and plants is distributed to charity.
Gardens range from council houses, primary schools and even allotments to stately homes, country houses and even whole villages.
NGS boss hopes to raise the charity's income
NGS chief executive, George Plumptre, is hoping to increase the level of funds raised in 2011:
"At a time when, nationally, many charities - not least our beneficiaries - are experiencing reduced levels of giving and other challenges to their operations, our fundraising income last year increased by over 5% and we are hopeful that this trend will continue. For every £1 raised we donate more than 80p to our beneficiary charities."
Read about George Plumptre's hopes for the NGS and Help the Hospices in his cover interview with Third Sector Magazine.
