Passing The Baton to Otter Nurseries

The charity team at Otter Nurseries in Ottery St Mary has announced this year’s charity partnership with the Baton.

The Baton is run by Alan Rowe, well known in the area for his charity work. Alan founded the organisation 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. The Baton also offers practical support to those in need, on a case by case basis.

Otter Nurseries Marketing Manager, Sabine Taylor said: “The Baton is a very different type of charity for us to support, and one which does an amazing job.

“A number of staff members have partners who were in the armed forces and this cause is very close to their hearts.”

On a recent visit to Otter Nurseries, Mr Rowe brought the actual baton, which is made from the handle of a stretcher used to carry the wounded and those in need, and symbolises the aims of the charity. He outlined to the team some of the recent work carried out which include partly sponsoring a wheelchair for a paralysed ex-servicewoman, providing new kitchen equipment for an elderly ex-soldier and helping a Forces widow to restart her life with her three children by providing new carpets and helping to redecorate the council house they moved into.

Although The Baton is a national charity, and support is offered across the country, many of these projects help people in the South West. The Otter Nurseries team will be fundraising throughout the year with various events for the staff and members of the public. These include a big quiz night, cake bakes, dress up days and the Christmas Memory Tree, which each year raises hundreds of pounds. To find out more visit http://www.thebaton.co.uk/