Staff and fundraisers have celebrated a record breaking donation of £14,109.19p collected at Stewarts Garden Centres in Christchurch and Broomhill near Wimborne.
Terry Head, Head of Retail and Marketing at the popular family owned Stewarts, presented the cheque to Lorraine Nutland, Chair of the Christchurch and Highcliffe Marie Curie Fundraising Group, which during last year attended events and activities within the centres to collect money from generous customers, assisted by staff at the centres.
Lorraine Nutland said: “We are delighted to accept this amazing amount total from our first corporate partner. The money will help fund care and support for the terminally ill with cancer. Over 800 patients are cared for at home in Dorset every year. The money we raised will help fund thousands of hours provided by our nursing team who can often provide round the clock patient care.”
Terry Head said that the centres will also support the Marie Curie Daffodil Appeal during March: “We all would like to thank the people who really made our annual charity appeal such a success this year and they are our customers. Every month saw our totalizer steadily increase with dramatic boosts over the Christmas period, £3,500 was raised this year from the sale of the special ‘I’ve Seen Santa’s Real Reindeer’ badges.”
Anyone wishing to donate or join the small team of volunteers with collections can email lorrainenutlandmc@yahoo.co.uk or visit the centres or www.stewarts.co.uk for information.
pic Terry Head presents cheque to Lorraine Nutland with the fundraisers