Flower power boosts charity

3:49pm Monday 9th June 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

SWINDON garden designer Wendy Allen has designed a special garden for the Samaritans at this year's Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

The garden is titled Samaritans Breathing SpaceThinking Place and will be on show at the event between July 8 and 13.

She created the garden in partnership with fellow designer Catherine Kenny and it will be displayed in the small gardens category of the show next month.

The garden is Wendy's first show garden after graduating with distinction from Hadlow Horticultural College.

"I'm really pleased to be able to support Samaritans with this design," she said.

Swindon Samaritans' director Richard Moss said: "We're delighted that Samaritans has been chosen for this innovative way of fundraising and wish Wendy and Catherine all the best at the show."

There is a chance to buy the garden, valued at more than £15,000, on auction site www.buyoncegivetwice.co.uk.

Ninety per cent of the proceeds from the sale will go to the Samaritans.

"It's great news that the auction of the garden will enable all the materials and plants to be re-used and recycled," said Wendy.

"This is a fantastic way for the charity to raise both funds and awareness - and of course we'll be keeping our fingers crossed for an RHS gold medal."

For details on the garden and tickets to the show, visit www.wendyallendesigns.co.

uk.