A successful week for Thrive at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
Thrive’s debut at the world’s largest flower show was a resounding success (7 – 13 July 2008) and staff promoted the charity to visitors at two stands, one in the Daily Mail Pavilion and the other with RNIB, near the Festival of Roses.
Thrive were invited into The Daily Mail Pavilion to link with the newspaper’s Show theme of gardening for health and wellbeing. Thrive staff talked to over 3,000 people and gave out 8,000 postcards giving details of how we change disabled people’s lives. We sold Cistus Thrive, a perennial shrub with lovely white flowers, and a practical Thrive gardening apron to help raise funds. Those who bought from us or made a donation qualified for a prize draw to win lunch and a garden tour at Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons.
Visitors walking to the Festival of Roses could also visit Thrive’s joint stand with RNIB where we promoted our work with visually impaired gardeners. In addition to getting information about the National Blind Gardeners’ Club and Blind Gardener of the Year Competition, show goers could try potting plants and sowing seeds while wearing glasses that simulate different types of visual impairment.
We were also delighted to welcome our Patron, HRH Princess Alexandra, to both Thrive stands and the actor Christopher Timothy spoke to staff about our work. BBC Radio Berkshire was broadcasting live from the Show and talked to Thrive Chief Executive Nicola Carruthers, and BBC In Touch, the weekly radio programme for visually impaired people, reported on our work with RNIB.
Thank you to The Daily Mail and everyone who visited and supported us at Hampton Court – we had a super week at the Show making new friends and spreading the word about Thrive.
The photo shows Thrive Chief Executive, Nicola Carruthers, talking to Fred Waldon on the Thrive stand at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.
Related Information
Thrive at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2008
Hampton Court Website