Haskins Garden Centre in Roundstone has partnered with Wadars Animal Rescue to spread festive cheer to volunteers that give up their time to support animals in distress or danger over Christmas.

The garden centre has donated 50 boxes of chocolate to Wadars as a thank you to the volunteers that have fostered and cared for animals this year and will continue to do so over Christmas. The charity will also be handing the gifts out to volunteers who answer its animal helpline, carry out administrative tasks, help keep the Ferring site looking spic and span, as well as those who drive animals to vets and other wildlife centres in the county.

Nick Joad, centre manager at Haskins Garden Centre in Roundstone, commented: "We're proud to continue our support for this local charity that helps rescue wildlife and re-home companion animals. As a brand, we're very keen on protecting wildlife and looking after our feathered and orphaned friends."

Wadars, based in Worthing, has been providing protection to animals of all kinds since 1969 and its volunteers work tirelessly to help co-ordinate the rescue and rehoming services.

Sophia Wilks, fundraising and volunteer co-ordinator at Wadars, commented: "We are extremely grateful to Haskins Garden Centre in Roundstone for generously donating the festive goodies for our volunteers. Wadars relies heavily on volunteers to enable the running of our wildlife rescue and pet rehoming services, and being able to thank them with the donated chocolates was brilliant."