National Garden Scheme North East: Your 2017 itinerary

The partnership between Wade Financial and the National Garden Scheme continues to grow, as we once again serve as proud regional sponsors for a fourth year.

Wade Financial first linked up with National Garden Scheme North East in 2014 after visiting the garden of Liz Reid, an Assistant County Organiser and one of our valued clients.

“We weren’t just impressed by her beautiful Woodlands garden, but by the passion and dedication shown by Liz – traits that are common amongst garden owners throughout the National Garden Scheme,” said Ian Little, a keen advocate of the scheme. “Once Liz talked to us about the organisation, how it brings people together in aid of so many worthwhile charities, we knew we had to get involved.”

We have proudly established ourselves as primary sponsors of the North East branch, and in that time, the organisation has grown from strength to strength in the region.

“We’ve watched as National Garden Scheme North East has incorporated more garden owners and more delightful days out, all the while raising more money for incredible causes. We hope that our sponsorship and support can help the National Garden Scheme continue on that upward trajectory in the region, making further progress and supporting more charities.”

This year, the Scheme has donated a record total of £3 million to a host of causes, including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie and Hospice UK, as well as Carers Trust and the Queen’s Nursing Institute.

2017 marks the ninetieth anniversary of the National Garden Scheme, and the North East branch are celebrating the occasion with sixteen new garden openings, including the walled garden of Breckon Hill, County Durham; the stunning Lambshield garden in Northumberland; and the intriguing courtyard garden at 24 Bede Crescent, Washington.

To download this year’s National Garden Scheme North East booklet, listing all of the garden openings near you, click the image below:

What is the NGS?

Since its foundation in 1927, the National Garden Scheme has raised well over £50 million for its nominated charities by supporting owners to open their gardens to the public in return for a small donation. The money raised provides finance for care-based charities. The NGS is the most significant charitable funder of nursing in the UK, currently giving beneficiaries more than £2.6m annually. The NGS has grown significantly over the decades. 609 gardens were opened to the public when the Scheme first started; that number is now approaching 4,000.

Who do they support?

Amongst the main beneficiaries are a number of nursing and support charities, not least Marie Curie and Macmillan Cancer Support, two organisations which strive to provide personal support and palliative care for those living with terminal illnesses. To that end, the Scheme also supports Hospice UK, Carers Trust and The Queen’s Nursing Institute with sizeable contributions, as well as providing much-needed funds for a guest charity every year.

The Scheme continues to grow year on year, and we hope to further cultivate our blossoming relationship in 2017 and beyond.

Keep your eyes peeled for the latest garden openings via our dedicated NGS page.