The RAF Benevolent Fund is excited to announce its first ever garden at The Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show; the world’s leading gardening charity enriching our lives through plants and making the UK a greener and more beautiful place.
The garden will feature a four-meter-tall sculpture constructed from 1,200 layers of stainless steel, of a young pilot looking up at the sky; a tribute to those who have served and continue to serve in the RAF. This hopes to inspire discussions about our Forces history and the connection to those who have made sacrifices and continue to do so today.
The garden will be funded by Project Giving Back, a new support scheme helping the RAF Benevolent Fund among other charitable causes, to create their own gardens at the Chelsea Show. They work with designers, landscapers and nurseries to support the charities, while raising awareness of the diverse and varied way people, plants and the planet can be helped.
"This is such an exciting opportunity for the RAF Benevolent Fund and we are incredibly grateful to Project Giving Back and the RHS for making it happen. We’ve had a tough couple of years but we are excited to be able to share our journey with our supporters and the general public."
Jason Shauness
Director Fundraising and Communications, RAF Benevolent Fund
Award-winning garden designer, John Everiss, will join the RAF Benevolent Fund to develop their garden. John is connected to the RAF through his father, Stan, who was an RAF Navigator during World War II. Stan’s Stirling bombers was shot down over occupied France in 1939, but he managed to survive with the help of local resistance fighters who guided him across the Pyrenees to safety.
"I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the RAF Benevolent Fund on our Chelsea Garden 2022. As a member of the RAF Family, the opportunity to be able to thank them and highlight the fantastic work the charity does is a privilege for me and my team, we really can't wait to get going!"
John Everiss
Award winning Garden Designer
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022 will run between the 24th and 28th May, and once complete, the RAF Benevolent Funds garden will be relocated to a permanent site at London Biggin Hill Airport. Read more on how gardening helps mental health here.
