A GARDENER has raised £114,000 for charity by inviting visitors into his property.

Geoff Stonebanks has now closed his award-winning Driftwood “tourist attraction” in Bishopstone, Seaford, for the year.

But not before he handed over a cheque for £12,515 to Macmillan Cancer Support on Sunday.

Geoff said: “I thank people who are very quick to praise me for what I have achieved.

“But I have merely created the vehicle through which we can raise money.

“I need visitors to come and supply the cash through eating tea and cake, buying raffle tickets or paying an entrance fee and other gardeners to open their gardens.

“So thank you to everyone involved over the years.”

Tom Lay, regional fundraising manager for Macmillan Cancer Support, praised Geoff.

He said: “It was a complete pleasure to visit Geoff and his team this weekend to celebrate raising an incredible amount of money for people living with cancer.

“We are so grateful for the stalwart efforts of Geoff and everyone involved in the Driftwood Macmillan Coastal Garden Trail.

“The money raised by everyone opening their gardens will make a huge difference and supports the work being done at the Macmillan Horizon Centre in Brighton and we cannot thank them all enough.”

A total of £7,483 was raised at the Macmillan Coastal Garden Trail.

The money raised from activities in Geoff’s garden boosted the total to £12,515.

Tom said: “Not only does Geoff support Macmillan by organising and fundraising for this brilliant event, he raises masses amounts of awareness.

“We couldn’t be there for people who need us, without people like Geoff, the team that supports him, the garden owners and visitors who come to see these beautiful gardens.”

The total Geoff raised in 2018 alone, including the Macmillan money, was £19,444.

This beat last year’s figure by some £850 and boosted the total figure to £114,000.

Driftwood is now closed until June 1, 2019.

You can read more of his fundraising and gardening achievements at www.driftwoodbysea.co.uk

More than 19,500 visitors have enjoyed the garden in recent years.

It has received more than 80 five star reviews on Tripadvisor.