Inspiring Sussex couple’s ‘legendary’ garden parties help raise over £39,000 for hungry children

An inspirational Seaford couple have celebrated two decades of fundraising with their 20th and final annual garden party, with the money raised helping to feed hungry children.

Michael, 86, and Pippa, 79, have raised a phenomenal £39,300 for Mary’s Meals since they began fundraising 20 years ago. Their final garden party took place on Sunday 14 June, marking the end of an era for the incredible annual event, which they described as “an absolute pleasure”.

After reading about the charity in a Rotary magazine, the couple sprang into action and began a fundraising mission. Michael says: “The principle is: if you go to school and get a meal - that encourages the child to go to school and get a good education. That’s so important in this world today and even more important for the future.” 

For over 20 years, the couple have raised funds through various activities, such as selling jam at the local garden centre and plants from their own back garden. The garden parties have become a yearly staple in the community, mobilising family and friends to support their efforts and raise money for Mary’s Meals as well as local causes, this year’s beneficiary being Friends of Eastbourne Hospital. Highlights of this year’s party included live music, a tombola, a raffle and sales of their homemade jams and marmalades, with Pippa describing it as “a really good, happy day”. 

Pippa discusses how the garden parties began and says: “We just decided we had a big garden and we thought it was an opportunity to raise money for charity.” Since then, the day has become a popular local event, with 200-300 people attending each year. The couple credit the event’s success to the support of their family and community, with Pippa explaining: “I've had a couple of helpers who have been coming for 20 years from day one. They come every year and never let me down.” One friend even makes the yearly trip from Ireland to Seaford and “hasn’t missed one,” according to Pippa.

Michael and Pippa’s commitment to fundraising has spanned generations, with their children and grandchildren joining their mission to raise funds. The couple’s endless passion to help others has also led them to sponsor a school in Liberia for the past nine years through Mary’s Meals’ Feed A School programme. 

Pippa, a retired district nurse, says: “The kids themselves say how much it has helped them. Some of them are now in higher education and have jobs, and it’s thanks to Mary’s Meals.”

The founder of Mary’s Meals, Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, has himself been blown away by Michael and Pippa’s heroic fundraising efforts. In a video thanking the couple, he commented: “What you have done in feeding so many children for so long is an incredible thing.”

Roy Peachey, Regional Development Officer for South East England at Mary’s Meals, says: “We are incredibly grateful to Michael and Pippa for their years of support in fundraising for us. They have become renowned in the local community for their innovative thinking and ability to galvanise people.”

“A massive thank you to both of them for everything they have done at their legendary garden parties and beyond. I find myself in awe of their achievements and passion. Getting to know them both has been a complete privilege.”