A FERNDOWN garden centre has decked the halls of a Dorset hospice to give patients, relatives and staff a boost this Christmas.

The Forest Holme Hospice Charity is Haskins Garden Centre Ferndown’s chosen charity of the year for 2023.

And the garden centre has filled the hospice with festive wreaths and twinkling trees to greet visitors, while glowing rattan reindeer surround the colourful Christmas tree in a central courtyard overlooked by the patients’ rooms.

Marc Etheridge, general manager of Haskins Ferndown, said: “Our team had a great time decorating Forest Holme Hospice this Christmas; it was a lovely way to give back to the local community and to get into the festive spirit ourselves.

“I hope that our decorations and time spent at the Hospice went some way to spreading a bit of Christmas cheer for all the residents and their families.”

Haskins Ferndown decks the halls of Forest Holme Hospice for Christmas

Forest Holme Hospice Charity corporate and community fundraiser, Kirsty Perks, said: “We are so grateful to Marc Etheridge and his team for getting the hospice ready for Christmas.

“All our guests, patients and staff have been commenting on how wonderful the wards look.

“Christmas can be a hard time for our patients and visitors away from their homes. Haskins has brought Christmas within our walls, helping our families make long lasting festive memories.”

In support of the charity’s Light Up a Life appeal, Haskins Ferndown has a satellite Tree of Remembrance for dedications in memory of someone special, for those unable to visit the tree in The Dolphin Poole.

The garden centre’s Christmas programme of events to fundraise for Forest Holme Hospice Charity has included a popular Christmas choir evening, featuring Love Soul Choir and late-night openings with tombola and bucket collections for shopper donations.

Haskins Ferndown support throughout the year has included holding a family shopping day, a staff bike-a-thon, hosting a pub quiz and Land Girls music event.

Kirsty added: “The continued support from Haskins is invaluable in helping us to raise the vital funds needed to support the hospice’s work.

“It is a pleasure working with Marc and his team for the motivation, dedication, and overall sense of fun that they bring to each fundraising challenge or task.”

Forest Holme Hospice cares for people with a life-limiting illness across Poole, Wimborne, and the Isle of Purbeck.