This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Normandy Landings, known as ‘D-Day’ and ranks as the boldest and most successful large-scale invasion in military history. Hundreds of men were sent to the front to help with the war effort. Today, Mr Fothergill’s asks Britain’s gardeners to mark the anniversary and help Chelsea Pensioner veterans by growing Poppy Victoria Cross again in 2019. 25p from each packet sold is donated to the Royal Hospital Charity.

There are over 1,000 stockists of the special counter-top display of fundraising Poppy Victoria Cross around the UK, including Blue Diamond, Kew Gardens, RHS Gardens, QD stores and many other leading garden centres.

Mr Fothergill’s joint managing director, David Carey, said: “We are proud to be supporting the Royal Hospital Chelsea and pleased to see so many gardeners joining with us to do that’.

Poppy Victoria Cross is a popular choice among gardeners and makes a fitting remembrance symbol with its bold white ‘crosses’ across single red flowers. Easy to grow and quick to flower from a spring sowing, this form of Papaver somniferum is ideal for informal borders and cottage garden settings. Its distinctive ‘pepper-pot’ seed heads are also useful in dried arrangements when flowering ends.

Established in 1682 by Charles II to provide a safe home for military veterans ‘broken by age or war’, the Christopher Wren-designed Royal Hospital admitted its first pensioners in 1692. The scarlet tunics and black tricorns of its residents and the Royal Horticultural Society’s Flower Show held in the Royal Hospital grounds every May are equally well known and respected around the world.

Poppy Victoria Cross seeds are available from garden retailers, mr-fothergills.co.uk and the Mr Fothergill’s Seed Catalogue. RRP £2.10 for 250 seeds.

Since the launch of Mr Fothergill’s Sunflower Pudsey and Pumpkin Pudsey seed packets for children, the company has pledged over £16,000 to support BBC Children in Need. With 30p from each packet sold benefitting the charity, gardening customers have been helping to make a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people all across the UK.

The two varieties were introduced in 2018 as part of our new partnership with BBC Children in Need. David Carey, joint Managing Director said “We are absolutely delighted that we have been able to donate this amount to BBC Children in Need already. Customers are really getting behind this important charity by purchasing our seed packets (a big thank you to them) and we are looking forward to being able to add even more to the pledge total over the coming season.”

Claire Hoyle, Commercial Director at BBC Children in Need commented “It’s been a pleasure working with the team at Mr Fothergill’s so far and we are thrilled that such a fantastic amount of money has been raised to date. We are looking forward to continuing the partnership in 2019 and beyond.”

Sunflower Pudsey and Pumpkin Pudsey each have a bright and fun design and have an RRP of £1.99. They are available to buy from selected garden retailers, online at www.mr-fothergills.co.uk and in selected Homebase stores.

About BBC Children in Need
BBC Children in Need’s vision is that every child in the UK has a safe, happy and secure childhood and the chance to reach their potential. The charity will realise this vision by supporting, promoting and publicising work that addresses the challenges that children and young people face and work that builds their skills and resilience.

BBC Children in Need is currently supporting over 2,800 projects in communities across the UK that are helping children and young people facing a range of disadvantages such as living in poverty, being disabled or ill, or experiencing distress, neglect or trauma.

Further information about BBC Children in Need can be found at bbc.co.uk/childreninneed.

Mr Fothergill’s aim to crash through a total of £10,000 raised for Greenfingers during this year’s Garden Re-leaf activity. Over £8,500 has been raised by the Suffolk seedsman over the years through participation in the annual walk and cycle ride, plus sales of dedicated sweet peas, and we aim to push through the metaphorical barrier in 2019!

The annually assembled Mr Fothergill’s squad, Team Lightning Seeds, are already in training for the 100-mile bike ride and the 20 mile walk on 22nd March.

Last year biking rookie Richard Keegan, National Field Sales Manager, took to the 100-mile course alongside the professional looking Matt Jackson (Business Development Manager). Matt was first home, but Richard is determined to change that this year.

Richard and Matt will be joined on the day by walkers Alison Roberts, Samantha Broadway, Nina Claydon, Dave Carey, Tim Jeffries, Jeremy Sharp, Alison Mulvaney and Chris Owen. In addition, staff at Kentford will be completing various fundraising events in the Mr Fothergills HQ.

The company have previously launched exclusive sweet peas which raise 25p on each sale for the charity. The Greenfingers sweet pea is available in Mr Fothergill’s stockists nationwide and direct from the company.

Commercial Director, Tim Jeffries commented “I hope this is the year we break through the £10,000 barrier for our donations to Greenfingers. Such a great cause in the gardening world and so many people in our company get behind our efforts to raise money whether in the office or on the walk or ride. I might take a side bet in Matt beating Richard again in the 100-mile bike ride!”

Please help us to continue to raise even more cash for Greenfingers by donating now via our JustGiving page!

About Greenfingers
Greenfingers is a national charity dedicated to supporting the children who spend time in hospices around the UK, along with their families, by creating inspiring gardens for them to relax in and enjoy. The Charity makes beautiful, well-designed outdoor spaces for children to share with family, friends and siblings, whether through play and fun, or therapeutic rest and relaxation. To date Greenfingers Charity has created 51 such gardens and outdoor spaces, and has a further waiting list of hospices that need its help.

Richard Keegan, National Field Sales Manager here at Mr Fothergill’s, began his training for the 100-mile Garden ReLeaf bike ride on 16th March with a 5-mile cycle-ride in the dead of night as he was so embarrassed that someone might see him. He came back “knackered” and realised the gravity of what he had just agreed to do!

Matt Jackson ready for anything!

The problem started for Richard soon after Business Development Manager, Matt Jackson, suggested the ride. After agreeing, he realised he didn’t even have a bike, so he had to borrow his partners bike and raise the saddle!

Training has continued and Richard comments: “After buying a little bit of kit – shorts, shoes and helmet – borrowing a bike from a mate and a lot of training rides in the snow, ice, rain and wind (a lot of the last two) I completed my first big ride last Saturday 74 miles. I’m really not sure how the day itself will go, but I am hoping riding with other people will make the whole thing easier but whatever, it’s all for a great cause!”

Richard will be joined by Matt Jackson who ran the 20-mile walking course last year! Like Rich, he has trained hard and has also bought a new bike, lots of winter gear and a turbo trainer! Matt says, “it’s been miserable at times training in this rotten weather but as long as we raise plenty of money for charity it is worth it!”

Richard and Matt are part of the Team Lightning Seeds from Mr Fothergills. They will be joined on the day by 20-mile walkers Tim Jeffries, Jeremy Sharp, Ian Cross, Alison Mulvaney and Chris Owen. In addition, staff at the Kentford HQ will be completing various fund-raising events in the Mr Fothergills HQ

To support the team, visit our JustGiving page by clicking here.