Greenfingers, the national charity dedicated to creating gardens and outdoor spaces for hospices, have announced a major new appeal.
The Greenfingers A Million Moments Appeal aims to raise £1 million to enable a further 5,000 children who are involved in the hospice system to benefit from inspiring gardens and outdoor spaces created by the charity.

To date, Greenfingers have planned and created 49 garden spaces at hospices for children, siblings, friends and families to enjoy, giving them vital access to the natural environment and providing a safe, well-designed outdoor environment in which they can have a break from the rigours of their daily care.

The launch of the A Million Moments appeal comes at a time when the charity has a longer waiting list than ever of hospices in need of well-designed outdoor spaces for the children and families they care for. The appeal will fundraise to fulfil these needs by providing expertly designed gardens which are safe and accessible all year round where children can play, relax, have fun; families can enjoy precious time together; and hospice carers can offer therapies, treatment and education outdoors.

The A Million Moment appeal was launched to coincide with John Ashley taking up his role as Chairman of Greenfingers. Mr Ashley commented on the launch of the appeal: "At Greenfingers we are acutely aware of the need for us to continue providing hospices with amazing spaces for children with life-limiting conditions - we are inundated with hospices who need our help and are calling today on people to get behind our new appeal and help us raise the funds to create even more gardens and help even more children.

"We will be coming up with ways businesses and individuals can fundraise for the A Million Moments appeal and urge everyone to get involved - by supporting this appeal you will be giving thousands of children the gift of precious moments spent outside in an inspiring natural environment."

Greenfingers charity director Deborah Skillicorn added: "Recently I have spent time visiting hospices all over the UK who are crying out for a Greenfingers garden. Many of these hospices have woefully inadequate outside areas, and yet we know how much the children they care for could benefit from a garden, play space, or simply an accessible outside area. We desperately want to provide all the hospices on our waiting list - and all the children they care for - with the gift of a garden in which really special moments can be shared with siblings, friends and family."

Greenfingers hopes to raise £1 million under the banner of the A Million Moments appeal over the next three years. It is hoped that at least 5,000 children and their families will benefit from spending time outdoors as a result of Greenfingers efforts with an estimated 15 gardens being created under the umbrella of the appeal.

Anyone interested in donating to Greenfingers should call 01494 674749, email info@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or visit www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk