The MS Trust takes its own advice
Carol Hunter has been volunteering at the MS Trust for over three years as a Trusts Fundraiser. She came up with the idea of My Garden for MS as a fundraising event and has been running it since 2009. The idea has been a great success and this year, Carol decided to hold her own open garden.
Carol says: "Having spent the last year exhorting everyone else to open their gardens to support the MS Trust, I had to do it myself, didn't I? But my garden is a building site this year, so what to do? Easy. Persuade Chris Jones - one of our Trustees and, more importantly, my next door neighbour - to host a joint event in her garden with our friend Val on a Saturday in September.
"The weather forecast was dicey, so up went a couple of large gazebos to house the tables and chairs, and the crafts from talented friends, and the Christmas cards were displayed indoors just in case.
"As the opening time approached we whizzed about distractedly and rather wished we'd done more preparations the day before... especially as people started arriving very promptly for their morning tea and coffee!
"Our salad lunches went down well and we almost ran out of cake. (Memo for next time - you can't have too much cake). The plants, allotment produce and jams were also very popular. Most importantly, those who came seemed to enjoy themselves.
"The weather was kind to us, and only one raffle prize was won by the organizers (phew!).
"We enjoyed it too, though we were all very tired at the end of the day. Now I've done it myself I'm even more impressed by what our other supporters have achieved this year. Hats off to all of you.
"Would I do it again? Certainly - I hope in my own garden next year. And maybe next time we'll get the flag the right way round!"
