York Garden Centre has raised more than £9,000 for St Leonard’s Hospice

Family-run Dean’s Garden Centre in York was keen to raise as much money as they could for the “fantastic charity”.

The Hospice was chosen as Dean’s ‘Charity of the Year’ in 2020 – but the business decided to continue supporting St Leonard’s in 2021 due to the pandemic, with many fundraising plans previously put on hold. The impressive sum of £9667.47 was raised for the Hospice over two years of fundraising.

The garden centre team were keen to continue supporting the Hospice and raised the funds through a quiz, knitting, and donations from staff, customers and partners, culminating in Richard Dean’s Cycle Challenge from York to Scarborough and back, with a full day at work in between.

Laura Dean from Dean’s Garden Centre, said: “We last supported St Leonard’s Hospice back in 2010, so 10 years on it was nominated by staff members and the Partners have the final say. Due to COVID, we decided to keep on with the fundraising to try and raise more money, due to it being a tough couple of years and us not being able to hold the events we normally would. We’re pleased we’ve been able to support this fantastic local charity.”

Annie Keogh, Corporate & Community Fundraiser at St Leonard’s Hospice, said: “The team have done so well to raise such a brilliant amount. We thank them for all the support they have given us. The money raised will help to care for local people living with life-limiting illnesses.”