Forest Lodge Garden Centre donates cuddly bears to local causes

Forest Lodge Garden Centre has partnered with The Ridgeway School and Bentley Church of England Primary School to spread festive cheer this Christmas.

The garden centre has donated over 70 cuddly bears to each school, with the aim of bringing a smile to children’s faces this festive season.

Bentley Church of England Primary School will use some of the bears as gifts for the most vulnerable pupils and others will be used as raffle prizes to raise money for the school’s PTA (Parent Teacher Association).

The bears donated to The Ridgeway School will be gifted to the school’s primary class and complex needs pupils over the festive period.

Lisa Looker, brand director at Haskins, said: “Supporting our local communities is something that is very important to us at Haskins. For several years now, we have donated hundreds of cuddly bears to different local causes within the different communities that we have centres in, with the aim of delivering some festive joy. Our team has worked exceptionally hard to ensure we don’t break the tradition this year.

“After such a challenging year, we wanted to do something special to help those in our community, who might be having a tough time, feel a little more festive.

“We hope that the children at The Ridgeway School and Bentley Church of England Primary School will be delighted to receive their cuddly bears and that they have a lovely Christmas.”

Haskins Garden Centres acquired Forest Lodge Garden Centre at the start of the year. The business has donated more than 400 cuddly bears to schools and charities across the south this festive season, in communities that are local to its centres.