An RHS Chelsea Centenary Appeal has been launched to raise £1m and highlight the opportunities that horticulture offers as a career. One of the appeal’s fundraising activities is an Ebay auction of gnomes painted by celebrities – Elton John, Joanna Lumley, Lily Allen, and Dame Helen Mirren to name a few. Open until the end of the show, all proceeds will go to the appeal.
Alan Titchmarsh launches appeal
Alan Titchmarsh, RHS vice president, officially launched the appeal. He said: “A survey of 1,000 people last year revealed that 70% of 18-year-olds believe horticultural careers should only be considered by people who have ‘failed academically’. Nearly 50% of under-25s think horticulture is an ‘unskilled career’.
“Recent findings, which form part of ‘Horticulture Matters’, a report by the RHS and horticultural industry, highlights the extent of the skills shortage in UK horticulture. We must act now to make horticulture appeal to young people”
Celebrities paint gnomes for eBay auction
To support the year-long appeal, a host of celebrities including Sir Elton John and Dame Maggie Smith have painted garden gnomes, to be auctioned on eBay during the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, sponsored by M&G Investments.
Other projects will include apprenticeships, creating an RHS Learning Centre at RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Essex and further supporting the RHS Campaign for School Gardening. This will enable schools across London, Essex and the South East to experience learning in an inspiring environment using the resources and learning opportunities for free. Learning centres at the other three RHS Gardens attract 40,000 school visits a year.
The charity aims to create 15 apprenticeships in the next three years. The first four apprentice places will be launched this year. There will be two at RHS Garden Hyde Hall and two at RHS Garden Wisley.
Source: RHS Chelsea Flower Show – Chelsea Gnomes in Need of New Homes
