Stody Lodge Gardens is delighted to have raised £14,800 for nine different charities during its May 2015 garden opening.

This year Stody Lodge Gardens enjoyed record visitor numbers due to a fantastic flowering season as well as its hosting of the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition. Fifteen of the UK’s leading animal artists, both painters and sculptors, exhibited their finest work within the gardens of Stody Lodge throughout the month of May. Visitors flocked to see the dazzling floral colours and the beautiful art, to the benefit of many local and national good causes.

Charities that were invited to provide delicious homemade teas, from which they took all the profits, were as follows:

· The Holt Youth Project - an award-winning scheme which serves young people across North Norfolk

· About with Friends - a Cromer-based charity supporting children, young people and adults with learning disabilities

· The Stody & Hunworth Village Hall

· St Johns Ambulance - leading first aid charity across the UK

· North Norfolk Riding for the Disabled

· Heritage House - a day-care centre for the elderly and frail in Wells-next-the-sea

Funds were also raised for Ormiston Families, the charity caring for vulnerable children, young people and families across East Anglia. Ormiston Families was the nominated charity for the Private View of the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition on 16th May. £6,000 was raised for the charity through ticket and art sales as well as the online auction of a beautiful sculpture of a young rhino that was kindly donated by leading South African artist, Bruce Little.

Stody Lodge Gardens was also delighted to support North Norfolk Radio’s Kids Trust. Proceeds from the highly popular ‘Stody Kids for Kids’ family day on 10th May were donated to the charity which supports local children and families in the North Norfolk area.

Lastly, Stody Lodge also raised funds for the charities selected by the National Garden Scheme (“NGS”) through a special open day for its members on Tuesday 19th May. This year, the charities nominated by the NGS are Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, Queen's Nursing Institute, Perennial and Parkinsons UK.

Kate MacNicol of Stody Lodge Gardens, said: “We are delighted to have been able to support so many different charities – all of whom are doing fantastic work and really having an impact in their chosen areas. Plans are already underway for the May 2016 open days with lots to enjoy alongside the beautiful rhododendrons and azaleas.”

The May 2016 dates are as follows (open daily 1pm – 5pm):

· Sunday 1st May 2016

· Sunday 8th May 2016– the Stody ‘Kids for Kids’ family day

· Sunday 15th May 2016

· Sunday 22nd May 2016

· Tuesday 24th – Friday 27th May 2016

· Sunday 29th May 2016

· Bank Holiday Monday 30th May 2016

· Sunday 5th June 2016