Beth’s Sunflowers, Jack Moody Group and Hollybush Garden Centre are proud to announce their double award-winning border showcased at BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2024. This event provided a unique platform to celebrate the life and legacy of Beth, while raising funds for leading blood cancer charities.
Andrea Childs established the charity, Beth’s Sunflowers, in her daughter’s honour after Beth tragically lost her battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in 2018, just two months before her 21st birthday. Sunflowers, Beth’s favourite flower, became a symbol of hope and resilience for Andrea. In 2019, a friend whose son, Callum, also fought the same illness grew sunflowers and gifted Andrea the seeds, sparking the annual tradition of growing and selling these flowers to support Cure Leukaemia and other blood cancer charities like A Gift to Lift.
Returning to BBC Gardeners’ World Live for the second year, Andrea sought community support through social media, requesting plant donations for her border garden. Jack Moody Group responded enthusiastically, offering their expertise and resources, leading to a collaborative planning process that brought ‘A Garden of Treasured Memories’ to life.
Jack Moody Nursery planted over 100 sunflower seeds provided by Andrea, complemented by a thoughtfully curated selection of plants, each symbolising an aspect of Beth’s personality. Predominately pink to represent her favourite colour, the garden also featured plants signifying strength, beauty, ambition, and kindness. The narrative of Beth’s life was poignantly captured through elements like buttercups and daisies representing her childhood, and sunflowers denoting her enduring legacy. A special touch was the inclusion of her Grandad’s bench, evoking treasured family memories.
With an impressive turnout of over 90,000 visitors at BBC Gardeners’ World Live, this garden was more than just a beautiful display; it was an opportunity to share Beth’s story and raise vital awareness of Blood Cancer. This year, the initiative successfully raised over £5,000 for the associated charities, marking a significant achievement.
Adding to the celebration, Beth’s Sunflowers border received a prestigious Silver Award from the judging panel and was then further honoured with the People’s Choice Best Beautiful Border 2024, voted by the public. The award winners and their trophies will be visiting Hollybush Garden Centre on Friday, 21st June at 3pm to celebrate their success.
Andrea Childs, founder of the charity Beth’s Sunflowers and Beth’s Mum said “We were all thrilled with the judges silver award but to hear the publics comments on our garden over the 4 days of the show and repeatedly be told how beautiful it was meant everything to us. To win the public vote was the icing on the cake and a fitting tribute to Beth.”
Kate Moody, Managing Director at Jack Moody Group said “We are honoured to support such a meaningful cause and look forward to future collaborations that continue to inspire and make a difference”.
For more information about Beth’s Sunflowers, please visit www.bethssunflowers.co.uk.
