Tiptree garden centre, Perrywood  presented cheques totalling more than £14,000 to its chosen charities at the garden centre: Mid and North Essex Mind, Marie Curie and Greenfingers.

Throughout 2017, Perrywood’s staff and customers raised a total of £14,334.73 for the three charities. This total was presented to the charity representatives Jenny MacPherson and Stephanie Mills of Mid and North Essex Mind, Val Kruse and Irvine Turner of Marie Curie and Mandy Rooke of Greenfingers on Monday, January 15.

The funds were raised throughout the year via a range of activities involving staff and customers, including a tea party, quiz nights and get-fit challenges. Fundraising also came from Perrywood communications & business developer, Hannah Powell, who completed 40 challenges to celebrate her 40th birthday. These challenges included writing and illustrating a children’s book, sporting challenges and learning new skills, such as sewing.

In addition to the donation, Perrywood has also contributed an additional £10,000 to charities and the local community. This includes sponsorship of the St Helena Hospice Gardening Group and donating plants to Broomfield Hospital. Perrywood has also sponsored events such as the Tiptree 10 race as well as supporting 21 local schools and businesses by gifting vouchers and plants to be enjoyed by staff, pupils and to be used as prizes for fundraising.

Hannah Powell said: “Raising funds for worthy charities and supporting our local community is so important to us at Perrywood. As a team, we are extremely passionate about helping others and giving back. We are delighted to be able to make such a huge difference to these worthy causes and raise much-needed funds.

“We are delighted to announce that throughout 2018 we will continue to support these charities. We look forward to another successful year of fundraising and helping our local community.”

The Essex garden centre was also recently awarded the Best Destination Garden Centre – Christmas displays/offering in the North Thames region by the Garden Centre Association.