Scotland’s Gardens Scheme (SGS) facilitates the opening of gardens to the public as a means of raising funds for charity.  The gardens, generally inaccessible to the public, range from formal castle gardens to small village ones. 40 per cent of the funds raised goes to charities of the owner’s choice, whilst the remaining 60 per cent net is shared between their five chosen charities – one of which is now Maggie’s Centres.

There are five Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres in Scotland (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Highlands and Fife) and an interim facility in Lanarkshire.  The Centres offer free-of-charge emotional support and practical advice to people facing a cancer diagnosis, their friends and families.

Maggie’s, like SGS, place a high level of importance on design and surrounding environments, with each Centre uniquely designed by a leading architect, with an accompanying garden or outdoor area on site.  Maggie’s founder, Maggie Keswick Jencks was a landscape designer and placed great emphasis, in the original Maggie’s blueprint, for the Cancer Caring Centres to have complementary gardens.

In fact, Maggie Keswick Jencks, together with her husband the garden designer and architectural critic Charles Jencks, designed the Gardens of Cosmic Speculation at her family home in the Borders. This is one of SGS’s most popular gardens to which thousands of people flock each year to marvel at what must be one of the country’s most spectacular private gardens.  

Paddy Scott, Director of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, said: "We are delighted to have Maggie's on board as a beneficiary of SGS.  Maggie's and SGS share a commonality through our recognition of the importance of great garden design. Maggie’s create both indoor and outdoor spaces that are relaxing for their Centre users and spark feelings of tranquility and inspiration. With this in mind, it is most apt for SGS to take on Maggie's as one of our major beneficiaries and we are looking forward to working with them closely to raise vital funds for such a worthy cause."

Maggie’s Community Fundraising Manager for Scotland, Mhairi MacCallum, said: “It is an honour for Maggie's to be added as a beneficiary of Scotland's Gardens Scheme. Maggie Keswick Jencks greatly recognised the power of gardens as therapeutic spaces and the Centres created in her legacy reflect this, with garden areas designed to be relaxing and an aid in the healing process. It is therefore fantastic news that Maggie’s will benefit from SGS, as we clearly have similar ethos. The funds raised from this relationship will make a huge difference towards helping Maggie's to continue and expand upon our programme of support across the country."

SGS facilitate the opening of some of the most spectacular gardens in the country. At most garden openings home made teas and a plant stall are available, whilst others have bands playing, craft stalls, art and other attractions. Accompanied children are always welcome.

The Gardens of Cosmic Speculation at Portrack House are open to the public on Sunday, May 4 from 12 noon till 5pm.   The Gardens at Moray Place, Edinburgh, are also open to the public that day from 2pm till 5pm, with both donating their 40 per cent share to Maggie’s.

For details of gardens involved in the Scheme, please visit www.gardensofscotland.org or pick up a copy of the Scheme’s handbook, frequently referred to as ‘The Yellow Book’ from your local bookshop, garden centre or Maggie's Centre.  For further information call Mhairi MacCallum on 0141 341 5663

…ENDS…

MEDIA CONTACTS:  Maggie’s Media Assistant, Tricia Williams on 0141 341 5678; Director of SGS, Paddy Scott on 0131 226 3714.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Over 1 in 3 people will develop cancer in their lifetime. Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres aim to equip people with the tools to build a life beyond cancer.
Maggie’s Centres offer a programme of information, psychological support and relaxation to people with cancer, their friends and families.  A range of services, which are free of charge, are on offer, from tai chi and relaxation classes to nutrition and benefits advice.
The Centres are located in the grounds of hospitals and work in complement to the physical treatment patients are receiving within the NHS.
The other four official charities of SGS are: The Queens Nursing Institute Scotland, The Gardens Fund for the National Trust for Scotland, Perennial (The Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Society), The Royal Fund for Gardeners’ Children.