The Sherwood community has come together to raise £6,000 for Emmanuel House Support Centre and Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum after the Sherwood Open Gardens event on Saturday 11th June 2022.
More than 1,000 people turned out to enjoy the gardens between 1pm and 6pm as 16 gardeners and Sherwood residents opened their gates to the general public.
The funds were raised through ticket sales, as well as stall donations from local artists and residents selling tea, cake and plants. Since it began in 2019, Sherwood Open Gardens has raised over £10,000 for local charities.
The Sherwood Open Gardens committee said: “We’d like to thank the hundreds of people who turned out for Sherwood Open Gardens, for their enthusiasm for the event and their patience with the queuing.
“We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the people who have sponsored and supported this event: Sherwood Garden Consultancy, Roots Natural Foods, Emma Ball Ltd, Sherwood Business Centre, Divine Coffee House, Newtons Accountants Ltd, Emma Whatton Gardens, Ashdale Nursery, Whittle and Wolf, Nottingham Community Transport, Anna at Bayleaf Garden Design and Permaculture, Chris Fickling and Andy at A Room Full of Butterflies for the beautiful website.
“We were so happy that Sherwood Open Gardens could make a return, with the prominent date in our community’s fundraising calendar having been put on hold for the last two years because of the pandemic.”
Denis Tully, CEO at Emmanuel House Support Centre, said: “We are thrilled with the outstanding success of Sherwood Open Gardens and are incredibly grateful for the generous donation. With no statutory funding for our core services, it is the support of the wider community that enables Emmanuel House to succeed in helping people out of homelessness and we are deeply grateful for the donation. Thank you to everyone involved.”
Barbara Dhliwayo, Volunteer Manager at Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum, said: “We are grateful to have received this amazing donation from Sherwood Open Gardens. The generosity of Sherwood residents and Open Gardens visitors will help us continue providing advice and support to over 3500 refugees and asylum seekers in Nottingham, and a safe, welcoming place for them to rebuild their lives.”
Applications for the next Sherwood Open Gardens event will open in January 2024. Please contact sherwoodopengardens@gmail.com to register your interest.
If you would like to arrange an interview with a member of the Sherwood Open Gardens committee, please get in touch: rosie.needhamsmith@emmanuelhouse.org.uk.
