Garden Centres Raises More Than £100K For Martin House Children’s Hospice

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Yorkshire Garden Centres has reached a major fundraising milestone after raising more than £106,000 for Martin House Children’s Hospice since the partnership began in April 2025.

Across its seven branches, colleagues and customers have thrown themselves behind the partnership, from bake sales and raffles to running, cycling and dragon boat racing. Each branch has its own charity champion and fundraising target, while the Pennies initiative gives customers the option to add 25p to their purchase at the checkout.

Staff have taken on individual challenges, including Dry January and the Great North Run, while CEO Mark Farnsworth has organised and joined cycling challenges. Colleagues also entered two sunflower-themed teams into Martin House’s Dragon Boat Race and took part in an in-store spinathon, cycling the equivalent distance from their stores to the hospice.

Last year, the company played a major part in Martin House’s 36-hour giving challenge for THE BUILD, raising more than £7,000.

Support has gone beyond fundraising too. Staff have donated items to Martin House’s retail team, contributed prizes to the Glitter Ball auction and donated Lego to the hospice. The company has also provided table centres for Martin House Ladies’ Lunches and welcomed children and families to Christmas events and the opening of its Otley Grass Hopper play centre. The partnership will run until June 2027.

Mark Farnsworth, CEO of Yorkshire Garden Centres, said:

“Reaching more than £100,000 is a fantastic milestone and is down to the enthusiasm of our colleagues, customers and charity champions across all seven of our centres.”

“Martin House does incredible work for children and families across Yorkshire, and our teams have really embraced the partnership. Whether it’s taking on a personal challenge, jumping into a dragon boat or simply asking customers to add 25p at the till, everyone has found their own way to get involved.”

“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together so far and look forward to continuing our support.”

Hannah Finan, Partnership Manager at Martin House, said:

“We’re hugely grateful to everyone at Yorkshire Garden Centres for reaching this incredible milestone. What makes the partnership so special is the sheer variety of ways their teams have chosen to support us. From major fundraising challenges to donations, events and welcoming the families we support, their commitment has reached right across Martin House."

“More than £106,000 is an amazing achievement and will make a real difference to the children, young people and families who rely on our care.”

Each year, Martin House supports more than 550 children and young people with life-shortening conditions, and their families, across West, North and East Yorkshire.

Its specialist teams provide care at the hospice in Boston Spa, in hospitals and in families’ own homes, including planned short breaks, symptom management, emergency care and end-of-life care.

Providing this specialist care costs Martin House around £13 million every year, with the majority coming from voluntary donations and fundraising.

For further information about Martin House Children's Hospice and how to support it, visit here.

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Jun 13, 2023

2 min read

Bradford College is celebrating after being declared the top apprenticeship training provider in West Yorkshire together with Bradford Teaching Hospitals.

The partnership won the Training Provider/Programme of the Year category at the annual West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 2023 – the second consecutive time this has been given to the Bradford College Apprenticeship team.

The two organisations were recognised for widening participation across the district, increasing employment via the apprenticeship levy, and seeing individuals progress within the trust as qualified practitioners.

Bradford College apprentice Elise Sherry from Low Moor Primary School was also a finalist in the Advanced Apprentice of the Year category, sponsored by FDM Group. Elise was selected for her grit and determination, overcoming barriers, and being a role model for the children she works with every day, showing them hard work pays off.

Held at the brand new Tileyard North in Wakefield, the gala dinner and awards ceremony celebrated apprentices, businesses, and mentors in the region who have excelled in their chosen fields and inspired others to consider embarking on an apprenticeship scheme.

Finalists across 11 categories were invited to attend the awards, presented by former ITV Calendar presenter and journalist Gaynor Barnes. Four industry experts whittled down the many entries to the final “stunning” shortlist.

Kelly McAllister, Head of Apprenticeships and Business Development at Bradford College, said: “We were over the moon to get both our nominations shortlisted for the finals of this year’s West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards. To then be selected as the top apprenticeship provider in the region for the second year running is a fantastic achievement for the team and Bradford College. "

“A huge congratulations and thank you to our partners at Bradford Teaching Hospitals. Together we make a difference; we widen participation into a meaningful apprenticeship that creates long-lasting employment. To our apprentices who work tirelessly in the NHS helping those most in need….this is your award!!!"

“Congratulations also go to our Level 3 Teaching Assistant apprentice, Elise, for being shortlisted for Advanced Apprentice of the Year and an outstanding ambassador for apprenticeships. It was fantastic to see her hard work recognised, alongside that of her exceptional lecturers, assessors, and employers.”

Katie Hopkins, Head of Community and Marketing at Tileyard North, said: "We were thrilled to host the second West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards in our event space, the Carding Shed, at Tileyard North. As a creative hub, we take pride in providing a platform to showcase talent and facilitate events for the community. It's an honour to host events like this and come together to celebrate our region’s achievements.”

With close to a million active Apprenticeships across England alone, apprenticeship schemes have fast become a route to future employment for thousands of school leavers. Bradford College has 30 years’ experience in delivering apprenticeships and working closely with over 700 employers within Bradford and the wider Leeds City Region. The College benefits from high-quality training facilities and highly qualified industry-specialist staff.

Apprenticeship programmes at various levels are offered across in-demand sectors, including healthcare, professional services, construction, engineering, dental, motor vehicle, early years, and teaching.

For more details about becoming an apprentice, vacancies, funding, or employing apprentices, visit the Bradford College website here

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Garden Centres Raises More Than £100K For Martin House Children’s Hospice

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