News release: 29th November 2012
Contact: Monica Cornforth 07811 147 192
Embargo: Immediate
The SeeAbility Garden, Supported by Coutts, is Selected For theRHSChelsea Flower Show 2013
Coutts, the private bank and wealth manager, will be supporting its first ever Chelsea garden in the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show 2013 on behalf of leading eye care charity SeeAbility.
Coutts, established more than 300 years ago has a long tradition of supporting charitable causes as well as a reputation for developing and delivering high quality services tailored to their clients’ needs. The firm chose to collaborate with SeeAbility based on its support of environmental and social investment and contribution to charitable activity in local communities.
Michael Morley, Chief Executive of Coutts & Co. said, “We are delighted to be joining with SeeAbility to launch their first ever garden at Chelsea. SeeAbility does a tremendous amount for the visually impaired which will be reflected through the design of the garden. The Chelsea Flower Show is an iconic event that is known around the world and we are proud to be collaborating with SeeAbility to showcase a garden at Chelsea in what will be its 100th year.”
SeeAbility, formerly the Royal School for the Blind, founded in 1799, offers a wide range of personalised services to enrich the lives of people who have a visual impairment and multiple disabilities.
The theme of the garden is Sight Loss and specific sight conditions will be expressed conceptually through its design and a range of different materials and planting. The garden’s message will be an overridingly positive one focusing on enriching life through maximising limited vision and other senses.
David Scott-Ralphs, SeeAbility’s CEO commented, “It’s an absolute privilege to be part of the RHS Centenary event and to have the support of Coutts, giving SeeAbility the opportunity to raise awareness of our specialist work with people living with sight loss and multiple disabilities”.
The garden has been designed by Darren Hawkes and is his first Show garden. Darren has established a highly regarded landscape gardening business in both London and Cornwall, where he is based and a reputation for creating beautiful outdoor spaces sensitive to their environment.
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Coutts
· Coutts is the Wealth division of Royal Bank of Scotland Group. Coutts serves clients from over 40 offices across the world offering tailored wealth management, banking, trust and tax services. Coutts is headquartered at 440 Strand, London with offices in other key international financial centres in Zurich, Geneva, Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai. The division includes Adam & Company providing private banking services from its base in Edinburgh and RBS International based in the Channel Islands which provides offshore banking.
About SeeAbility
· SeeAbility is the operating name for The Royal School for the Blind, a national charity which has for over 200 years provided support for people who are blind or partially sighted and have additional disabilities. They currently operate a range of services in Bristol, Devon, East Sussex, Hampshire, Humberside, Kent, London, Sheffield, Somerset, Surrey and West Sussex.
· SeeAbility offers a wide range of specialised residential, community and rehabilitation services which. They aim to provide each individual with the support they need to develop essential life skills for greater independence and a fulfilling life. Their work includes improving eye care and vision for people with learning disabilities through access to information, specially adapted sight tests and low vision support.
· For further information on SeeAbility's call 01372 755000 or visit www.seeability.org