Gardening angels’ aid

9:47am Friday 1st August 2008

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A GREEN-FINGERED couple opened up their garden to the public and boosted The Press’s Guardian Angels Appeal by nearly £600.

Anne and Terry Ryder, of Dringhouses, in York, raised a total of £1,125, which is to be split between our campaign to bring high-dependency facilities for children to York Hospital and the Deanne Gee Memorial Fund.

Nearly 200 visitors flocked to their garden for the event, and soaked up the sunshine while enjoying cream teas.

Terry, 67, a retired builder, said: “It’s something we’ve done for the past five years or so, and every year the last thing people ask before they leave is, will we be doing it again next year?

“Our two neighbours opened up their gardens too, and we made cream teas for all the visitors.

“Most people sat themselves down on our tables and chairs and spent the afternoon chatting in the sun.

“We raised the most we’ve ever done this year, but I think we were helped by the weather, because it was the sunniest day we’ve had this year.”

He said they chose a different charity to support every year, and picked the Guardian Angels Appeal this time to help us reach our target.

Terry said: “We read in The Press about how you were getting near your target and wanted to do our bit to help.

“We always want to do things to help children.”

The Deanne Gee Memorial Fund was set up nearly 30 years ago by Joyce Gee, following the death of her 14-year-old daughter, who suffered from spinal muscle atrophy.

She launched the fund in a bid to help other children with physical and mental difficulties across York and North Yorkshire.

Anne, 66, a former cashier at Terry’s factory, said: “Joyce is a wonderful woman. When her daughter died, she threw herself into raising money to help other handicapped children.

“She helps people who have been everywhere in the NHS and can’t get the equipment they need. She has changed the lives of so many people.”

The Press’s Guardian Angels appeal is now only £20,000 short of its £300,000 target.

If you would like to make a donation, send cheques or postal orders made out to The Press Guardian Angels appeal, to Guardian Angels, The Press, 76/86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN.