GENEROUS shoppers in Taunton recently helped raise more than £200 for charity by donating their loose change and making a wish in a fountain.
Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) collected £202.58 from donations thrown into a fountain, which came from Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre and was set up in the town’s High Street on Bank Holiday Monday, May 31.
Norma Moore, General Manager of the family-run garden centre, said: “We are delighted to have raised such a fantastic amount of money for CHSW, which is one of our ‘charities of the year’.
“We were asked by Taunton Town Centre Company and the charity to provide our huge fountain for the town’s Family Fun Day and were more than happy to help out.
“The fountain, which usually stands in our Jubilee Building, is more than eight feet in diameter and just over six feet high. It is a very impressive feature with a little bit of magic about it.
“It was manned by volunteers from CHSW on May 31 and people were able to sit and relax on some traditional deckchairs, which were provided by Taunton Town Centre Company. It was a fantastic day and everyone really enjoyed themselves.”
CHSW is currently the only provider of specialist hospice care for children in the region. It offers much needed support for youngsters with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition and their families.
The organisation opened its first hospice, Little Bridge House in Barnstaple, in 1995. The demands on Little Bridge House increased to the extent that there became a vital need for a second children’s hospice and it opened Charlton Farm near Wraxall in April 2007.
The Chairwoman of the Bridgwater Friends of CHSW, Gill Brown added: “We’re thrilled to have collected more than £200.
"Lots of kind-hearted folk came to make a wish and drop a coin into the fountain. We’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who made a donation and to Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre for all of its support.”
To find out more, please visit Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre, which is located just off the A38 at Monkton Heathfield between Bridgwater and Taunton, or call 01823 412381.
Photo caption: (From left to right) Chairwoman of the Bridgwater Friends of CHSW, Gill Brown and Committee Member, Jacky Darch invite people to make a wish in the charity fountain.