Marked by a touching speech from BBC Gardeners' World Magazine editor Adam Pasco, which praised this fundraising effort as a tribute to Terry Lloyd's life and brilliant career, a cheque for £6,702 was presented to representatives from The British Red Cross.  

Left to right: Annie Burton, Sharon Charlton, Miriam Young, Chelsey Lloyd

Annie Burton and Sharon Charlton, both from Chelsey Lloyd's local branch of The British Red Cross accepted the payment from Chelsey Lloyd and Darwin PlantSpotters editor Miriam Young.

The ceremony took place in a garden on Sunflower Street, designed by students of Pershore College. This leading British college for horticultural training was celebrating its 50th anniversary with a gold themed garden, which was awarded a silver-gilt medal by the show judges. 

The payment of £6,702 represents funds raised to date from sales of Helenium 'Chelsey'. It is hoped that even more money will continue to be raised this summer, as plants are still available to buy, with 50p from each going to The British Red Cross International Disaster Fund. See where to buy for stockists.

It is a magnificent acheivement, and both Chelsey and The Red Cross are very grateful for the generosity of gardeners who have purchased this plant.

The project will be extended to the USA and Canada for 2006.

British gardening celebrity Alan Titchmarsh poses with Helenium 'Chelsey' in the Pershore College garden.

Current host of the BBC TV series 'Gardeners' World', Monty Don, together with Chelsey the person and 'Chelsey' the plant, in Pershore College's garden.

Discussion for this item is on the main site home page.