Garden centre's customers donate thousands to Rowans Hospice

Generous members of the public stopped by to visit Garsons Garden Centre’s real-life reindeer.

Visiting the reindeer was free of charge, but collection buckets were placed at the enclosure and near a display of musical Santas which entertained shoppers with Christmas songs.

Between November 21 and December 24, 2015, a total of £4,067.41 was donated by visitors to Garsons’ reindeer and Santa band, an increase of nearly £1,000 on 
the previous year’s festive fundraising effort.

The Rowans Hospice will issue a certificate of appreciation for the garden centre to display to its customers to thank them for their support.

‘We’re overwhelmed by the incredible generosity of our customers this year, and delighted to be able to give such a fantastic sum to The Rowans Hospice,’ said Clare James, director at Garsons.

‘The Rowans Hospice provides a vital service in helping local people and their families to cope with life-limiting illnesses, and we’re proud to be a charity partner.’

Lesley Clayton, community fundraiser at The Rowans Hospice, said: ‘It could fund a week of day-care activities at The Rowans Hospice providing an opportunity for individuals with life-limiting illnesses to engage in activities, including social and therapeutic interventions, while also giving relatives and carers a day of rest and recuperation.

‘Without fundraising activities such as these and the generosity of the local community, the hospice would not be able to offer these vital services to people who need them.’

A spokesperson for The Rowans Hospice said: ‘This was a huge sum of money raised which will benefit the entire hospice and all the work we do.

Garsons has been wonderful to work with and we are exceedingly grateful to the public for their contributions.’

For further information on Garsons of Titchfield, visit garsons.co.uk/titchfield.