THE team behind the annual Open Gardens event is toasting another success for its charity.

Wilmslow Wells for Africa raised an incredible £14,468 from this year’s event, which saw 19 gardeners open their gates in Wilmslow, Alderley Edge and Handforth on Saturday, June 24, while more money is expected to be added to that total before the end of the month.

Guests enjoyed a host of different gardens including wildlife havens, contemplative gardens, cottage gardens, meadows, formal contemporary and productive gardens with orchards and veg plots.

The money will now be put towards projects to provide clean water in African villages.

Grazyna Moore, from the charity, told the Guardian: “It was an absolutely amazing day.

“We had a 20 per cent increase on last year’s total, and to raise more than £14,000 in just one day is quite remarkable.

“I think we were lucky with the weather, and people seemed to come in their droves. Some gardeners had as many as 300 people in their gardens on the day.

“Overall it was incredibly successful and it means that the trustees of Wilmslow Wells for Africa can now consider more projects to fund.”

Wilmslow Wells for Africa has funded projects for clean water in more than 200 villages since the 1980s.

Last week, it approved two new projects to in Uganda – one for nine new water storage jars, and one to create shallow bore holes.

And with last weekend’s event raising a healthy sum, the charity looks set to continue its work in 16 African countries.

“Wilmslow Wells for Africa gets applications from various places to fund clean water projects in some of the poorest villages,” Grazyna said.

“We look at them in terms of what can be achieved and how much money we could provide, before deciding to fund them.”

Roger Goddard, treasurer at Wilmslow Wells for Africa, literally worked tirelessly to count the final total from Saturday’s popular event – with some help.

“He stayed up overnight to get a result as quickly as possible alongside his mother,” Grazyna added.

“She used to work in a bank counting money, so she helped him get the total over to the other trustees, who couldn’t wait to hear the result.

“We are all delighted with the splendid result of this year’s Open Gardens day.”

For more information visit wilmslowwells.org