A gardener is set to pick up his trowel for a 24-hour horticultural marathon to raise money for charity.

Garden designer Henry Agg from Brighton will be planting, digging and weeding into the night as he hopes to raise some £10,000 for mental health charity Mind.

The horticulturalist has amassed more than half a million followers on social media where he shows the benefits of gardening for mental wellbeing.

He said: "Given my recent battles over the last four years with depression, anxiety and burnout, it was only fitting to partner with Mind, a charity dedicated to improving lives and supporting people like you and I with their mental health." 

The challenge will not stop for sleep with each minute being streamed live on social media platform Instagram along with guest speakers.

Ian O’Reilly, head of community and events fundraising at Mind, said: “We are really grateful to Henry for choosing to support Mind through the Open Up and Grow 24-hour gardening challenge and we wish him well.

“It’s a difficult time, with many of us now feeling the impact of the cost of living crisis on our mental health and wellbeing, especially those of us with existing mental health problems. One in four of us will experience a mental health problem in any given year and it’s so important that no one has to face this alone.

“Every donation that Mind receives allows us to campaign to improve services and provide information and support."

Henry has appeared on TV to share his gardening expertise and encourage men to talk about issues they might be facing before they become serious.

The challenge starts on Saturday, August 3, at 12 noon. He has already raised almost £2,000 with just under a month to go.