In early July, a friend suggested that we go to visit a local cottage garden that was having an open day. There would be a plant sale as well as homemade cakes served with tea or coffee.

The day was a bit drizzly, but we had a lovely visit with so much to see and such a pretty garden. Pauline, whose garden it was, said she was doing it to raise money for charity.

Sitting eating my cake I started to think how similar my garden was and whether I could do something similar and raise some money for Emmaus Salford. I thought that two weeks was enough to sort it out, so I optimistically made a plan.

It was a lot of work and at times a bit stressful but with the help of some good friends my garden was opened on Saturday 17 July. We charged an entrance fee and held a plant sale, quite a few of which were donated. We also sold bric-a-brac and odds and ends for the garden and had the most amazing homemade cakes made by friends with drinks. There were lots of tables and chairs dotted around the garden and we also had a ‘guess the name of the quirky corner’ competition.

The weather was amazing and there was a constant stream of visitors all afternoon, probably around 50 in total. With so many friends helping, we raised more than £600 which was more than I expected and a really good outcome. What next, I am thinking?