We’ve smashed our Charity of the Year fundraising target two months early

The teams at all six sites are celebrating the fact that we have reached our Charity of the Year fundraising target ahead of schedule.

In April 2024, the teams at Tong, Tingley, Otley, Bingley, York and Scarborough pledged to raise £20,000 for Yorkshire Children’s Charity, an independent charity that aims to transform childhoods and improve the lives of thousands of disadvantaged children in Yorkshire. By the end of January 2025, the amount raised had exceeded an amazing £20,400!

The Charity of the Year fundraising is managed by a committee led by the People and Culture team. Our Group People and Culture Manager, Steph Harrison is delighted with the achievement: “Yorkshire Children’s Charity aims to make sure no child or young person is left behind due to ill health, disability, or financial circumstance. They help children be who they want to be and get where they want to go, and we’re delighted to have exceeded our fundraising goal with two months to go.

“The teams at all centres have worked together to raise money through sporting events, raffles, bake sales, competitions and hosting play parties at Grass Hoppers. We’d like to say a special thank you to Otley team member Lynsey Dyson, who has been a real charity champion, organising many fundraisers from raffles to team bingo nights and helping Otley to raise over £2,500 towards our total.”

“We are continuously blown away by the strength of the Yorkshire brand and our ability as a region to come together to do the right thing for children and young people who need our help. So, to find a partner in Yorkshire Garden Centres who so clearly aligns with our vision and mission is just fantastic,” said Charlotte Farrington, CEO and Founder of Yorkshire Children’s Charity.

Fundraising plans for the final two months include fundraising at the tills in all sites. A new Charity of the Year will be announced in April following a team vote.

Since we acquired Tong Garden Centre in 2015, the team and supporters have raised almost £100,000 for charity. Previous beneficiaries of the Charity of the Year initiative include Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, Luke’s Lads, Butterflies Mental Health, The Cellar Trust, Candlelighters and National Literacy Trust. In addition, we have supported hundreds of smaller charities in our local communities through the Kindness Pot initiative.