GARDENER Geoff Stonebanks has realised a long-held ambition to raise more than £100,000 through his gardening-related activities.

During his second opening in 2018 for the National Garden Scheme, Seaford residents Janice and Mario Dennington were the couple to give him the £1 in their £10 entry fee which took his fundraising over the magic figure.

There was much celebration in the garden as the lucky couple were presented with a 1.5 litre bottle of bubbly by Geoff to mark the occasion.

Some £820 was also raised for the National Garden Scheme on the day too with more than 120 visitors taking advantage of the weather and enjoying Geoff’s renowned tea and cake in the garden.

Over recent years, Geoff has maintained both his own award-winning garden, Driftwood in Seaford, created and managed two garden trails, one for the mayor of Seaford raising £14,000 and one for Macmillan Cancer Support, raising £56,000 with the balance going to smaller local charities and hospices.

Geoff said: “Back in 2004, when I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to retire early, I had no aspirations to garden, let alone raise money for charity. It all happened purely by chance.

“Nobody is more proud than me that we have collectively hit this staggering target.

“Sincere thanks must go to all visitors, garden owners and volunteers. An amazing joint effort.”

If you want to see Driftwood, it is open a further ten times to the public this summer

More information can be found at www.driftwoodbysea.co.uk or call 01323 899296 or 07985457982

In May, Geoff was awarded the Don Mabey Award for “exceptional services to the town of Seaford” at the annual town forum.

Seaford Mayor Councillor Linda Wallraven praised Geoff for his commitment and dedication to the town.

She also acknowledged his tenth year of opening and said how this was the right year to receive this award.

Geoff said at the time: “I am absolutely thrilled to receive this award and to be recognised in such a positive way. I love doing what I do and I am naturally very proud of Driftwood.

His fundraising continues throughout the summer with other events in his garden.

Driftwood has appeared on BBC2 Gardeners’ World and was a recent finalist in Gardeners’ World Magazine Garden of the Year.

He also organises the annual Macmillan Coastal Garden Trail between Brighton and Seaford.

Geoff said: “This year the garden celebrates ten years of opening.”