Haskins celebrates a successful year of fundraising to refurbish the kitchen at Christchurch’s Macmillan Unit

Haskins Garden Centre in Ferndown has raised over £11,000 for its 2022 Charity of the Year, Macmillan Caring Locally, based at Christchurch Hospital.

Throughout the past year, Haskins’ Ferndown team held various fundraising events in aid of Macmillan Caring Locally, including quizzes, performances, collections, and various challenges. The team also collected donations from customers via the Charity Wishing Well, which is placed at the centre’s exit.

Lin Sharp, Fundraising and Communications Director at Macmillan Caring Locally, said:

“We could not be more delighted with the support we have received from Haskins Ferndown. The staff were so engaged with us on every level and were an absolute joy to work with.

“Along with the in-centre support, we were also thrilled to receive an additional grant from the Haskins Charitable Fund to refurbish our kitchen at the Macmillan Unit in Christchurch Hospital. Work will be underway on this soon, and it will mean so much to our patients’ families that they’ll have a lovely space to use for much needed refreshments, when spending many hours with loved ones on the ward. All of us at Macmillan Caring Locally are so grateful to the wonderful staff, customers, and the Haskins Charitable Fund for receiving such amazing support over the past year.”

Marc Etheridge, General Manager at Haskins, said:

“At Haskins Ferndown we select a chosen charity each year. For 2022, members of our team decided to support Macmillan Caring Locally and the amazing work they carry out through our fundraising activity.

“The brilliant team at Macmillan Caring Locally has been positive throughout the year, carrying out their invaluable work and helping so many people. Our team is proud to have been able to raise a significant amount to help the charity continue the fantastic services they offer in our local community.”

Haskins Ferndown has also provided support for Bourne Water Dragons, an inclusive dragon boating team in Christchurch for cancer survivors of all ages and abilities. The Haskins Charitable Fund donated over £10,600 for the team to purchase a new 10-person dragon boat and accompanying equipment. The aim of Bourne Water Dragons is to create an environment where cancer survivors can enjoy sports with like-minded individuals to aid recovery and stay active.

Haskins Ferndown has selected Forest Holme Hospice, based in Poole, as its 2023 Charity Partner of the Year.

Kirsty Perks, Fundraiser at Forest Holme Hospice, said,

“We are absolutely delighted to be Haskins chosen charity for 2023. Forest Holme is really excited about this new partnership and look forward to working together to ensure that our essential services are available for future patients and their families during the most difficult time of their lives. NHS funding is limited, which is why we need to raise £1 million each year so that our team can deliver the highest level of care, when and where it counts.”

Please visit www.haskins.co.uk for information on Haskins’ charitable giving and www.macmillanlocal.org for further detail on the charity’s services and support in the county.