Ashwood open garden event to raise money for young adults with learning difficulties

John Massey, of Ashwood Nurseries, has named High Flyers – which supports young adults with learning difficulties – as his centre’s charity of the year.

To help raise vital funds for the South Staffordshire based cause, John will open his three acre private garden to the public on a number of days in 2016, with the first taking place on Saturday, March 19, between 10am and 4pm.

All the proceeds from the open gardens, with entry costing £5, and the store’s fundraising throughout the year will be donated to High Flyers, which currently has 45 members attending, including young adults, with Autism, Down’s Syndrome and William’s Syndrome, many with additional medical and mental health needs.

Rachel Maiden, Ashwood Nurseries spokeswoman, said: “We hope to raise a minimum of £15,000 – and hopefully more – to help secure the future of High Flyers and ensure that young adults with learning difficulties have a permanent base in the local community.

“John’s garden highlights in March include early daffodils, anemones, trilliums and erythroniums which carpet the woodland dell, while hellebores, hepaticas, primroses and cowslips put on a spectacular show against a backdrop of conifers, evergreen shrubs and finely clipped topiary.

“Coloured stems and bark of birches, maples, cherries, dogwoods and scarlet willow light up the borders and early spring-flowering shrubs add colour and fragrance.

“There are also urns and patio pots, imaginatively planted for seasonal colour, which add to the interest while the rock garden begins to reveal its many tiny treasures.”

Last year, the centre’s fundraising and events, including John’s open garden – which is set against the backdrop of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal – raised more than £21,800 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

For more information about the open garden events, visit www.ashwoodnurseries.com, or for more on High Flyers visit www.highflyers-southstaffs.co.uk