Chosen because of its mood-boosting apricot and golden yellow colouring, the ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ mug is an exclusive creation celebrating British craftsmanship and UK gardens. For every mug sold, Emma Bridgewater will directly donate £5 to the NGS. The mug will be available to purchase directly from Emma Bridgewater, David Austin Roses or as part of a David Austin gift box which includes; an NGS notebook and voucher for any David Austin® rose.
The rose breeder has also announced that it will open the gated to the private garden of Mr Austin Senior’s red brick farmhouse home in Shropshire on the 15th and 16th June 2024. A ticketed event will see £10,000 of proceeds donated to the National Garden Scheme.
“As huge admirers of Emma Bridgewater’s work, we’re thrilled to not only see one of our most popular roses adorned onto the mugs but also dovetail our efforts, to support a charity that we each value greatly.” said David Austin, at David Austin Roses.
With over 3,500 gardens across the UK, the National Garden Scheme welcomes garden enthusiasts into the most special and lovingly tended private gardens and raises funds for vital health charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie and Parkinson’s UK with over £3.4 million donated in 2023 alone.
“I believe that David named this rose for his late father; my Dad died in December 2023, and he too loved Morecambe and Wise, which I regularly watched with him as a child. They were anarchic in a gentle way but I didn’t appreciate the subtleties, instead I remember loving it when my father relaxed and laughed with Eric and Ernie, without needing to follow or comprehend all that they were up to.” added Emma Bridgewater. “And so I empathise with the impulse that prompted David to name this glorious golden rose after a song which is forever associated for him and for so many of us with the sound of happy fathers, laughing.”
Commenting, Chief Executive of the NGS, George Plumptre said: “We are thrilled to have the support of this power duo of iconic British brands in helping us to raise funds and awareness of our work in 2024. The Bring Me Sunshine mug and rose exemplify the joy that gardens and a great mug of tea can bring, and the exclusive access to Mr Austin Senior’s garden in June is something extraordinarily special which we know garden visitors will love.”