Hilltop Garden Store, near Chipping Norton, has raised more than £20,000 for Greenfingers through takings from its children’s play barn.
Since it opened in October 2014, the soft play barn has proved hugely successful, providing a local child-friendly destination for parents and grandparents and offering on-tap entertainment for youngsters whilst they shop. A donation of 50p from each £2.50 entrance fee goes to Greenfingers, with £20,347 raised to date.
Linda Petrons, Head of Fundraising at Greenfingers, said: “We are blown away by how much money The Soft Play Barn at Hilltop has raised for us. The simplicity of this initiative has been incredibly effective – and it is touchingly fitting that children playing at the garden centre are directly contributing to children being able to spend time in the gardens we create at hospices. Thank you to all at Hilltop, and to the families who have enjoyed The Soft Play Barn, for this fantastic contribution.”
Boyd Douglas-Davies, Hilltop CEO and Greenfingers Trustee, added: “We are proud to be able to offer such a fun space for the children who visit us to enjoy. Knowing that for each child who plays here another child who needs to spend time in a hospice will benefit is really special and we are thrilled to have raised such a significant amount of money for Greenfingers.”
The money raised will directly contribute towards the charity’s A Million Moments Appeal, which aims to raise £1m to bring the precious gift of a garden to over 5000 children who spend time in hospices, along with their siblings and families.
Meanwhile, Greenfingers has announced Nicola Wakefield as winner of a competition run in association with KLC School of Design to reinvigorate a garden space at Helen & Douglas House hospice in Oxford.
Alumni from the KLC School of Design garden design diploma course were invited to submit designs for a very special outdoor retreat that will enable children in wheelchairs and beds to spend time in the heart of the garden, and sheltered enough to be usable all year round.
Nicola’s ‘Kaleidoscope’ design impressed the judging panel, which included renowned garden designer Ann-Marie Powell.
Pictured above, left to right: Emma Hanford, Greenfingers; Marc O’Neil, competition runner-up; Annie Guilfoyle, KLC; Nicola Wakefield, competition winner; Ann-Marie Powell garden designer and competition judge.
Finally, Lorna Holt and Mike Cook from Briers Ltd were flying the flag for Greenfingers at the recent Royal Bath & West Show at Shepton Mallet, posing for ‘gluvies’ with all creatures great and small to raise awareness of the charity.
“Thanks to everyone who helped with the 'gluviely' pics,” they Tweeted.
