Devon gardener’s heartfelt tribute to sister-in-law with cancer fundraiser at Dartmoor garden

A gardener from Plymstock is hosting her first public fundraising event in memory of her sister-in-law, raising money for a cancer respite pavilion planned at one of Dartmoor’s most admired gardens.

Caroline Crocker, 52, runs Duck Garden Plants from her home and was featured on Gardeners’ World last year for the way she transformed her garden, inspired by Wildside Garden near Yelverton.

Now she’s organising a fundraising evening on Friday 24 October at Harewood House, Plympton, with all proceeds going towards the Tribute Garden Cancer Respite Pavilion at Wildside.

ABOVE: The Wildside Pavilion nearing completion – soon to offer respite days for cancer patients and their loved ones

The funds will support the completion of the interior of the Wildside Pavilion and help establish a respite day centre for cancer patients and their loved ones, with future plans including equipment such as all-terrain wheelchairs and covering ongoing running costs.

“I visited Wildside first in 2019 and fell in love with it,” she said. 

The garden has since played a significant part in her life, particularly during the time her sister-in-law Claire was undergoing cancer treatment. 

Claire sadly died in 2020.

“It was always going to be a cancer-related charity,” Caroline said.

“This felt like a fitting thing to do in her honour.”

The fundraiser will feature a talk by TJ Maher of Patthana Garden in County Wicklow, Ireland; an artist, gardener and author whose work has gained international recognition.

It will be his first time speaking in Plymouth, and Caroline hopes it will be a special evening for garden lovers and supporters of the cause alike.

Although she hopes to raise several hundred pounds, the evening is also about encouraging people to visit Wildside during its October open weekend.

Caroline, who lives with ME and is chair of Plymstock Gardening Society, has previously raised funds for Wildside by selling calendars of her flower posies.

Wildside Garden, located at Buckland Monachorum on the edge of Dartmoor, is widely recognised as one of the most imaginative and creative gardens in the country.

The event runs on Friday 24 October 2025 from 7.30pm to 9pm at Plymouth Guildhall. 

Early bird tickets are available until 31 May.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/t-j-maher-presents-grounded-in-the-garden-plymouth-event-tickets-1257466118009?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl