Haskins Garden Centre in Snowhill donates cuddly bears to local causes

Haskins Garden Centre in Snowhill, West Sussex, has partnered with the Alzheimer’s Society and Greenaway Residential Foundation Charity to spread festive cheer this Christmas.

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

Greenaway Residential Foundation Charity provides families in need with the ingredients to cook a Christmas meal and runs a Christmas wish list for the children. Last year, the charity provided meals for 340 families and gifts to over 700 children. The Haskins bears will be delivered to children in need along with their meal this Christmas.

The Alzheimer’s Society is using the bears to thank children who have written letters to elderly residents, who may be lonely at this time of year.

Lisa Looker, brand director at Haskins, said: “For several years now, Haskins has donated hundreds of cuddly bears to different local causes, with the aim of delivering some festive joy and we’ve worked hard to not 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 supported by Greenaway Residential Foundation Charity and those working with Alzheimer’s Society will be delighted to receive their cuddly bears and that they have a lovely Christmas.”

Haskins 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.

Haskins has centres in Ferndown (Dorset), West End (Southampton), Roundstone and Snowhill (West Sussex). Haskins Snowhill recently re-opened following a £15million redevelopment at the Crawley-based centre. Haskins Garden Centres also recently acquired Forest Lodge Garden Centre and Birdworld in Farnham, Surrey.