In an awe-inspiring display of dedication and community spirit, Kate Ebbens has successfully raised over £30,000 for the Greenfingers Charity through her relentless fundraising efforts throughout 2024. Kate’s commitment to supporting the children’s hospice garden charity saw her run every single day of the year – a leap-year nonetheless which saw her clock up over 1,040 miles – culminating in an extraordinary achievement that has inspired many.
Reflecting on her year of fundraising, Kate Ebbens said: “2024 has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging yet rewarding years of my life. Running every day was tough, but knowing it was making a real difference for children and families in hospices kept me going. As Greenfingers Chair Boyd Douglas-Davies recently said, two words that should never go together are ‘children’ and ‘hospice.’ This heartbreaking reality motivated me to push through, even on my hardest days.
“The incredible support I received along the way also played a huge role in keeping me going. From friends and family to colleagues, industry connections, and everyone in between, I am truly overwhelmed by the encouragement and generosity I experienced. The fundraising total is beyond anything I could have imagined.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who helped make my 2024 challenge an unforgettable journey. I am so grateful for every single contribution and act of kindness.”
In addition to her remarkable running challenge, Kate still found time to bring some holiday cheer to Keech Hospice in Bedford by organising a special ‘12 Days of Christmas’ event. Drawing on her extensive network of contacts, she gathered an impressive collection of donated products from businesses including Dobbies, Ayletts Nurseries, Yorkshire Garden Centre, Bent’s Home and Garden, Klondyke, Perrywood Garden Centre, Scotsdales, British Garden centre Group, Ruxley Manor, Millbrook and St Peter’s Garden Centre. These donations were delivered to Keech Hospice just before Christmas, providing them with a truly magical festive gift.
Kate added: “Organising the 12 Days of Christmas event was the perfect way to end the year, and I’m so grateful to all the incredible businesses who contributed to making it such a success. Together, we’ve created something truly special for the children and families supported by Keech Hospice Care.”
The Greenfingers Charity, which supports hospices in creating beautiful outdoor spaces for children and families to enjoy, has been deeply touched by Kate’s efforts. Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications, commented: “Kate’s unwavering commitment to our cause has been truly extraordinary. Her year-long challenge has raised vital funds that will help us continue creating therapeutic gardens for children in hospices. Her efforts are a true demonstration of how much can be achieved when communities come together. On behalf of everyone here at Greenfingers, and the families we support, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Kate for her incredible efforts.”
There is still time to show your support of Kate’s fundraising efforts. Donations can be made via www.justgiving.com/page/kate-ebbens-1701443565987
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To find out more about the Greenfingers Charity please join the team on social media https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/, @GreenfingersCha on Twitter, and @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram and LinkedIn.
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Inspired by Kate – why not take up the 2025 Greenfingers Challenge!
As 2025 unfolds, the gauntlet has been thrown down, asking teams or individuals to complete a 650-mile challenge.
The 650-mile challenge symbolically connects Greenfingers HQ in Buckinghamshire to Coombe Abbey in Coventry, the venue for the charity’s 25th Anniversary Floral Ball. The route virtually passes through four hospices set to benefit from Greenfingers gardens this year: Acorns Children’s Hospice in Walsall, Hope House in Oswestry, Bluebell Wood in Sheffield, and Chestnut Tree House in Arundel, celebrating the positive impact of the gardens.
Participants can take on the challenge individually or as part of a team, logging miles by running, cycling, swimming, or walking. They can complete the distance over time, tackle it in a single weekend, or adopt any approach that suits them.
If you are interested in getting involved in this very special fundraising challenge in 2025, either as an individual or as a team, please contact Linda by emailing linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk