WHEN you think of gardening – a naked bum isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind.
But every two years, a whole selection of industry-known bottoms are brought together from the horticultural world, with the main aim of raising cash for charity.
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Nicknamed the Grubby Gardeners – they’re a group of landscapers, head gardeners and award-winning garden designers, who assemble for a naked-but-tasteful photo shoot.
And the end result is turned into a calendar for all to buy – to raise vital funds for those working in the horticultural community.
Perennial is the only UK charity which supports people within the gardening world – whether they’re currently employed or retired – and their families.
And they’re been doing it for 185 years. In fact, Charles Dickens and Robert Peel were one of their keynote speakers at their annual fundraising dinners in times gone by.
Now Alan Titchmarsh is the president.
Calendar star newby Tom Coleman – a gardening podcaster and social media expert told Sun Gardening: “For me, the work that perennial does in our industry is really important and we never know when one of us might need their help.
“It was a bit daunting at first taking out kit off in front of each other… and each shot took a little while to set up! But we soon got comfortable and had a real laugh, the team was amazing and it was all for a really great cause.
“Now it’s over to everyone to get behind us and buy a copy, to help us raise a great amount of money for this fantastic cause. And I’m not sure if I’m excited or scared to find my bum on fridges across the country!”
You can see more behind the scenes footage @Imtomcoleman.
STEPHEN’S PERENNIAL STORY
How Perennial helped Yorkshireman Stephen
For over 30 years, Yorkshireman ‘Stephen’ dedicated his working life to gardening until he was diagnosed with cancer in his sixties.
Undergoing invasive treatment, unable to work and fearing he might lose his home he turned to Perennial.
Stephen’s prostate cancer diagnosis in 2017 came as a huge shock and left him fighting for his life. His physically demanding work as the sole gardener on an 8-acre estate was no longer possible, he was placed on sick leave and his income halved overnight.
“The treatment for my cancer was horrendous but I fought back and wasn’t going to let it beat me,” he said.
“What I wasn’t prepared for was the struggle I had living off sick pay and I faced the stark reality that I might lose my home.”
“I sat for a while, unable to phone Perennial through sheer embarrassment. I had lost all control of my life of which I was so proudly independent. I had never asked for help before, hard work had got me to this point, but after a short while speaking to Perennial I could feel this huge burden being lifted.”
The call Stephen made to the Perennial helpline was a huge turning point for him. Stephen’s caseworker worked closely with him and acted on his behalf to claim support so that he could receive the benefits he was entitled to. As a result, he was awarded universal credit which meant he could afford to stay in his home and focus on getting better.
Michael Griffiths, AKA The Mediterranean Gardener – said: “I got involved in the photoshoot, because it can be a really hard sector to work in – so supporting anybody and everybody in that sector, is important.
“And Perennial do a fantastic job of supporting people. Plus it was a bit of fun to work with like minded people in a scenario that you wouldn’t normally find yourself in.”
Whether you’re an arborist, florist, forester, gardener, garden centre employee, garden designers, grounds staff, grower, landscaper, nursery staff, tree surgeon or viticulturist, Perennial is there for you.
Not only does it offer free, tailored, tailored one-to-one confidential support on hand when needed, but everyone can access the free advice and information available 24/7 online.
And this can cover topics like the impact of health issues, bereavement, redundancy, family breakdowns and career progression, as well as impartial money management and health & wellbeing tools.
Perennial’s Fundraising Manager, Ed Charles told Sun Gardening: “Our work is regularly described as a ‘lifeline’ for people in the horticulture industry. The return of our calendar is crucial for fundraising, helping us sustain our vital services. We’re calling on garden enthusiasts and consumers to purchase this calendar, helping us spread the word and support our community.”
Thanks to the cost of living crisis, the demand for Perennial’s services has surged. Last year alone, casework increased by 42 per cent, which just goes to show the growing need for support.
Perennial delivered over 31,000 preventative services and activities, directly helping 2,221 people and their families to improve their lives.
ALSO IN VERONICA’S COLUMN THIS WEEK
Tips, competitions and money saving tips
WIN!!! If you’re staring at empty beds and don’t know what to do with them – Garden On A Roll are offering one lucky reader a £200 Garden on a Roll – to be delivered in Spring if needs be – which gives you all the plants. plans and instructions to fill that space. To enter visit www.thesun.co.uk/ROLLCOMP, or write to Sun Garden on a Roll competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Ends 30.59GMT 23.11.24 T&Cs apply.
SAVE! Protect your hands now it’s got cold with Niwaki’s Winter Gloves at £12 – or go for gloves.co.uk’s Benchmark Fully coated water resistant gloves for £2.39
TOP TIP: Pot feet are a great way of stopping plants getting waterlogged or frozen – but you don’t need to fork out on them – use bricks, broken tiles, little logs, sliced up wine corks or even plastic bottle lids to place under your pots!
THIS WEEK’S JOB: Mulching and tulip bulbs go hand in hand – get the tulips deep enough so foxes give up digging for them, then layer your mulch to keep the soil healthy. Clear old, browning sweetpeas and sow broadbeans straight into the ground.
