Visitors to the Christmas grottos at Squire’s Garden Centres across Surrey, Sussex and Middlesex not only met the man from Lapland but shared the true spirit of Christmas by helping to raise an amazing £19,480.55 in support of local charities.

All 15 Squire’s garden centres participated in the seasonal fundraising campaign. In addition, centres that hosted Santa’s grotto donated a proportion of ticket sales revenue to a chosen local charity. Visitors also donated cash as they made Christmas wishes in the special wishing wells and fountains.

The funds will provide vital support to a diverse mix of local charities, supporting groups and projects needing help in the community, including: Olive Tree Cancer Support Centre, Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care, The Royal Star & Garter Homes, Woking & Sam Beare Hospice, Macmillan Cancer Support, The Samson Centre for MS, and West Horsley & Bookham Riding For the Disabled.

Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s, said: “Because each of our garden centres selects its own community-based charity we can ensure that local people are supporting a charity they can see making a vital difference within their own community.”