A Boost for the Baton

The charity team at Otter Nurseries in Ottery St Mary has announced the total raised for last year’s charity of the year, The Baton.

The garden centre raised just under £5,500 with enthusiastic staff taking part in a quiz night, cake bakes, dress up days and collecting tins on the tills.

£830 came from the annual Memory Tree, which is always a popular feature at Christmas when customers buy ribbons - red for £1 and gold for £5 - and attach them to the tree in memory of loved ones such as family, friends or even pets.

Otter Nurseries Marketing Manager, Sabine Taylor said: “We are delighted with the total raised, and it is a privilege to know the money will enable The Baton to provide help to those that need it most.

“As always, we would like to extend a big thank you to our generous staff and customers for supporting our fundraising efforts.”

The Baton seeks to raise awareness of life in the British Armed Forces and ensure ex forces personnel are given the right support when they return to civilian life. It also offers practical welfare support to those in need. Although it is a national charity and support is offered across the country, many projects help people in the South West.

Otter Nurseries will now continue to support the charity on an ad-hoc basis. For 2017, three Otter Nurseries garden centres in Ottery St Mary, Plymouth and Torbay will fundraise jointly for Devon Air Ambulance.