A Blazing Success: Perennial’s Fiery Fundraiser at York Gate Ignites Over £4,000 in Donations

Thrilled to share the tremendous success of its recent fiery fundraiser, Perennial, the UK’s charity dedicated to supporting those who work with plants, trees, flowers, or grass held this remarkable gathering on October 26 at York Gate, one of Perennial’s wonderful gardens based in Leeds.

The event brought together garden enthusiasts and industry professionals, raising just over £4,200 for Perennial. This significant contribution will help the charity continue its essential work in providing support to those in the horticulture community during times of need.

Peter Newman, Perennial’s most recent Chief Executive, actively participated in the event, hot stepping over the burning coals three times, marking it as his final engagement before his retirement in early November.

Alan Down, President of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), also joined the event. His participation showcased the continued collaboration between Perennial and key industry figures in supporting those who work tirelessly to maintain the beauty of our gardens and green spaces.

The event was further enriched by the involvement of Jack Ogg, Head Gardener at York Gate, who encouraged community participation, with numerous York Gate volunteers attending to observe the brave participants walk over hot coals.

Three employees from Plan & Plant, a landscaping company operating across North Yorkshire, took part in the event. Nathaniel Day says of his motivation for braving a walk across hot coals in support of Perennial: “From my own experience of working in horticulture in North Yorkshire, finding opportunities to grow and develop your career can be challenging. From the outset at Plan & Plant Ltd we were keen to create a community where those involved could feel included and a part of something positive. Perennial too offer vital support and a valuable sense of community to an industry that can feel isolating at times and often challenging. I am keen to offer proactive support to their initiatives whenever possible as you never know when you will need help yourself.

“When I saw Perennial were hosting a fundraiser at their wonderful northern garden, York Gate, I was very excited to see it was firewalking. Being able to challenge ourselves and prove that we can tackle anything was great, but to connect with likeminded peers was a lovely reminder that we are part of a wider endearing community. If you have the time or enthusiasm to help others, we highly recommend signing up for their next challenge.”

Perennial would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who took part in the event, which saw head gardeners, trade associations and volunteers all coming together and supporting Perennial through participation, attendance, and generous donations.

Their support has been vital in enabling Perennial to continue offering a lifeline to those who dedicate their lives to the world of horticulture.

As a charity, we rely on the support of all those in the horticultural industry and from all those who enjoy the benefits of their hard work.

Fundraising is a fantastic way of supporting what we do. For more information and fundraising initiatives please visit perennial.org.uk/getinvolved

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