Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland corporate fundraiser Kylie Palmer visited Melkinthorpe, near Penrith, where she met Peter and Jo Stott, owners of Larch Cottage Nurseries who are one of the charity’s business partners.
Established in 1985, this family-run business is a hidden gem in the heart of the Eden Valley, has grown over the years from originally providing plants for Peter’s landscaping business into a true garden of Eden complete with nursery, restaurant, gallery and events such as outdoor yoga.
Jo and Peter are proud to support a local charity where all funds donated would benefit and help support local people.
A collection tin was arranged for their reception area and in June, 2011, Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland received its first donation of just over £42. Since that first donation 12 years ago, Jo, Peter and their visitors have now raised over £20,000.
Speaking of this amazing achievement Jo said: “Every year we open our private gardens and chapel to raise money for Hospice at Home. Today we celebrated the fact that we have collected over £20,000 for this truly remarkable charity.”
The gardens are open on a Wednesday and Sunday afternoon from April until the end of September. They are a peaceful oasis within landscaped gardens, carefully planned and planted to create a tranquil escape and a haven for wildlife.
“It is a pleasure to allow people into our ‘secret garden’ and we look forward to continuing to welcome visitors, and raising more money for this worthwhile cause over the coming months,” said Jo.
