Sidmouth Garden Centre gives �350 to CHSW through Christmas tree voucher offer

IT’S a kiss on each cheek for Bev Thomas from Sidmouth Garden Centre staff as owner Ian Barlow hands over a �350 cheque to Children’s Hospice South West.

Bev is the charity’s Friends co-ordinator in Sidmouth and is delighted with the amount, which was raised through the Christmas Tree voucher scheme offered through the Sidmouth Herald with the garden centre.

It will go to its Precious Lives Appeal for a new hospice, Little Harbour, being built in Cornwall.

Ian said: “We have supported CHSW every since we started at the centre because it is such a great charity and we are happy to carry on with that.”

His wife Nikki, who organises the voucher scheme, said: “We try to support the community too and replaced Newton Poppleford Brownie hut when we read in the paper about the fire there.

“In a small community, everyone should help each other.”

Bev said: “This means an awful lot and we really appreciate the support we get from the garden centre.

“Our Precious Lives Appeal its building a new Cornish hospice which is nearly finished and hopefully, by the end of the year, will be open.”

Pictured with Ian (right) and Bev, are the centre’s plantsman Alan Walker and (left) Darren Knapman, plant manager.