Charity, Health & Lifestyle | Posted on September 17th, 2026 | return to news

Christchurch hospice receives Haskins grant

Haskins Garden Centre donates over £4,200 to fund furniture and equipment at the Macmillan Unit hospice.

Haskins Garden Centre in Ferndown has donated over £4,200 to fund furniture and equipment at the Macmillan Unit hospice in Christchurch. Haskins staff member Beverley Stark-Halliwell nominated the hospice for a grant from the Haskins Charitable Fund after her husband Phil received end of life care at the Unit.

The donation has been used to buy furniture for the Unit’s two counselling rooms, which are used by the Patient and Family Support Team in the support of patients, bereaved families, and children. The money has also funded dining furniture for the patient lounge, a jigsaw table for patients and visitors, and some new kitchen equipment.

The Haskins Charitable Fund was set up in 2018 to benefit charities and community projects local to its four garden centres across the south, through personal nominations from its staff.

Bev said: “Having experienced first-hand the extraordinary care and comfort provided at the Macmillan Unit during the most difficult of times, this hospice holds a very special place in my heart.

“Being able to give something back and help transform these shared spaces into warm, welcoming environments means the world to me. My hope is that these refreshed areas offer a sense of peace and respite for future patients and their families when they need it most.”

The Macmillan Unit provides specialist palliative care and a range of support services to 1,600 patients living with life-limiting conditions, and their families, each year.