In 2024, the National Garden Scheme (NGS) has managed to generate a mammoth £3,501,227 through the incredible achievement of garden owners and volunteers hosting open days at some 3,372 gardens in 2024. This year’s donations are up from 2023 when the funding totalled £3,403,960, and £3,110,000 in 2022.
The impact of NGS donations to major nursing and health beneficiaries, provides much needed support for thousands of people who live with health conditions such as cancer or Parkinson’s, suffer from poor mental health, or who struggle financially as unpaid carers. The funding has also provided support to those in the Gardens and Health sector, Community Gardens schemes and gardeners through traineeships.
The lion’s share of the 2024 donations (£2,550,000) goes to some of the UK’s best known nursing and health charities such as the Queen’s Nursing Institute, Marie Curie and Macmillan Cancer support, many of which have continued to provide vital support to the NHS and communities across the UK in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and currently struggling to provide services due to the cost of living crisis. The long-term nature of NGS funding allows these charities to continue the provision of critical community nursing services, end of life care, and respite for families and carers across the UK.
Rupert Tyler, NGS Chairman said: “As the nation’s health and social care system continues to battle with the long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and with deeply embedded systemic challenges, the contribution of the charities that we support has been increasingly vital. Their reach and impact, in cancer and end of life care, in community health and nursing and in particular areas such as people living with Parkinson’s, is immense and we are proud to be a major long-term supporter of them all.”
The NGS relies primarily on the income generated by admission at its garden gates and through the sale of plants, teas and cake at these gardens. Additional income streams include donations, sponsorship and advertising, fundraising events and commercial partnerships.
George Plumptre, NGS Chief Executive said: “In 2024, the owners of nearly 3,500 gardens opened, once again giving us the most fabulous commitment and raising another record amount. Together with the support they are given by our county team members this is a remarkable example of the power of volunteers who are so vital for charities like ours. In addition to their fundraising operation, throughout the year our gardens gave immense enjoyment and relaxation to the thousands of people who visited. Many of our garden owners have a strong affinity with one or more of our beneficiaries, for whom we know that the long-term continuity of our funding year on year is a key quality in the support we give them. It is very unusual and something of which we are enormously proud.”
The National Garden Scheme is looking ahead to 2025 with optimism and the opening of over 3,300 gardens across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. Tyler added: “We will do our utmost to increase the support we are able to give our beneficiary charities and we are sure that anyone who reads the 2024 Impact Report that accompanies this donation news, will see just how impactful a visit to one of our gardens can be.”
National Garden Scheme donations in 2024
Nursing and Health beneficiaries:
- The Queen’s Nursing Institute – £500,000
- Marie Curie – £450,000
- Macmillan Cancer Support – £450,000
- Hospice UK – £450,000
- Carers Trust – £350,000
- Parkinson’s UK – £350,000
- Total – £2,550,000
Gardens and Health beneficiaries:
- Maggie’s – £122,227
- Horatio’s Garden – £90,000
- Army Benevolent Fund – £80,000
- John King Brain Tumour Foundation – £50,000
- Cancer Help Preston – £5o,000
- Country Trust – £25,000
- Total – £417,227
Support for gardeners:
- English Heritage – £125,000
- Perennial £100,000
- National Botanic Garden of Wales – £26,000
- Bankside Open Spaces trust – £21,000
- Professional Gardeners’ Trust – £20,000
- Garden Museum – £10,000
- Total – £302,000
Support for Community Garden Projects:
- £232,000