Furzey Gardens horticulturists need your help to get to the 2024 RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

BUDDING gardeners in Minstead are appealing for help to get them to this year’s RHS Hampton Court Flower Show.

The green-fingered group from Furzey Gardens have been invited by show organisers to build a garden display which will be seen by around 140,000 people.

The gardeners are now asking for around £15,000 from the public and local businesses to fund the “significant” material, transport and support staff costs to get them to the show.

A spokesperson for the group said: “Many of the gardeners have spent a lifetime struggling against discrimination and lacking in the opportunities that many other people enjoy.

“This garden will allow them to demonstrate the horticultural skills they have built over several years working at Furzey Gardens, run by the charity Minstead Trust.

“The gardens have been supporting people with learning disabilities for nearly 40 years, where they maintain the gardens and raise plants for sale in the nursery.”

The garden will be built between now and June and then transported to the show for assembly in early July.

It is inspired by a small waterfall area next to Furzey’s lake area and features plants for which the woodland garden is renowned.

Supported gardener Dave said: “I like planting the seeds and watching them grow in the summertime. I am excited and happy to be involved.”

Liam, also a supported gardener, added: “I’m looking forward to helping all the other guys and staff at Hampton Court – I feel excited!”

Minstead Trust support instructor John Davies said it was a “really exciting challenge”.

“It’s a chance for them to show what they can do if given opportunities that are usually not available to them,” he added.

You can support the gardeners by buying raffle tickets at the gardens or online to win a range of horticultural prizes, or donate directly at minsteadtrust.org.uk/hampton