Garden centre business makes grand gesture to worthy causes
Thousands of pounds have been donated to three charities with strong local links from a company’s Christmas fundraising drive.
Gates Garden Centre, in Cold Overton, sold Charity Jingle Bells to customers over the festive season.
And the money raised has been given to some very worthy causes by the managing director, Nigel Gates.
Cheques for £1,000 have this week been presented to the EMICS group of volunteer doctors and paramedics, the Matt Hampson Foundation, which is based at Burrough on the Hill, and The Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation, which was championed by the late Claire Lomas in her remarkable fundraising efforts.
A spokeswoman for Gates Garden Centre said: “Nigel Gates had the privilege of presenting cheques to a number of charities that hold a special place in the hearts of people across Leicestershire and our Gates shoppers.
“Throughout the Christmas season, Gates Garden Centres in both Cold Overton and Hinckley sold Charity Jingle Bells, generously supported by our customers. “Thanks to their kindness, we’re proud to help these incredible charities continue the vital work they do for local people.”
Operations manager Dr Tim Gray MBE & critical care paramedic Roger Linnell attended the presentation event on behalf of EMICS, which stands for East
Midlands Immediate Care Scheme.
It is made up of volunteer doctors and paramedics with specialist training in emergency medicine who assist East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) crews at the scene of life-threatening accidents.
Matt Hampson was there to represent the foundation he launched in 2011 after being seriously injured in a rugby training incident.
The foundation supports others who have also suffered catastrophic injuries playing sport, with an advanced rehab centre at Burrough, the Get Busy Living Centre.
The organisation offers physiotherapy, personal training, mentoring and advice.
Lucy Berry attended from the The Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation, which funds research into the treatment of those who suffer paralysis through a spinal cord injury.
Claire Lomas, who lived with her family at Eye Kettleby raised more than £950,000 for the foundation after being paralysed from the chest down in a horse riding accident in 2007.
Claire’s husband, Dan, and close friend, Stuart Hall, took Claire’s fundraising over £1M with a series of gruelling challenges in wheelchairs last year.