Supporting Good CausesAt Gates Garden Centre, we are very proud to be associated with a number of local good causes and national charities.Thanks to the generous support of our customers and colleagues, our charitable partnerships have raised an enormous sum of money over the past 25 plus years. Through organising a range of fundraising events, both at the Garden Centre and elsewhere, together with our charity coin fountain, this has enabled us to support many worthy causes, including:Air Ambulance Anna’s Hope – For Children and Young People with Brain Tumours Brain Tumour Research Nottingham Chernobyl Children Claire Lomas for Spinal Research CLIC Sargent – Cancer Support for the Young East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme (EMICS) Home Start Melton and Rutland Hope Against Cancer Matt Hampson Foundation Millie Baker for Rett Syndrome Oakham Medical Practice Crash Trolley Appeal Rainbows Children’s Hospice The Harley Staples Cancer Trust The Parks School, Oakham The Romy Fund #teamgeorge Tom Ray STEPS Conductive Education CentreIn 2023 we launched our newest charity partnership supporting Dove Cottage Day Hospice.Dove Cottage exists to help those who are living with a life-limiting illness or are struggling with frailty and loneliness. There’s a day hospice in Stathern, near Melton Mowbray, in Leicestershire, and a Wellbeing and Support Group at Empingham in Rutland. Dove Cottage also offers carer support, an online Dementia Support Group, befriending service and bereavement support.Dove Cottage’s day care offers a safe and supportive environment and a high level of holistic care to those who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness such as cancer, heart failure, respiratory and progressive neurological disorders. The hospice offers nursing advice and support, friendship, wellbeing activities, complementary therapies, games, crafts, chaplaincy team support, refreshments and a home-cooked lunch.The monthly Rutland Wellbeing and Support Group is run by a team of trained nurses and volunteers, offering nursing advice, carer support and wellbeing activities. Guests also enjoy a light lunch during their visit, which is a nice opportunity to gain support and spend a few hours with others in a similar situation. Carers are also welcome to attend.Dove Cottage Day Hospice is a registered charity and provides all of its care services free of charge. In this way they are able to provide around 3,700 day care places every year. In order to deliver this vital service Dove Cottage need to raise over £400,000 each year and rely solely on the generosity and support of their local communities across Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland. There are many different ways you can get involved. To find out more about the services they offer and how you can help, please contact Dove Cottage at:Tel: 01949 860303Email: office@dovecottage.orgWebsite: www.dovecottage.orgAs farmers ourselves, Gates values and supports the important work of the Farming Community Network and, in particular, our local Leicestershire and Rutland branch.The Farming Community Network (FCN) was established 25 years ago. It offers farmers and their families support in difficult times via a national helpline, on-the-ground case work and a presence at some livestock markets. FCN’s strength lies in the fact that its staff and volunteers know about and understand the pressures that farmers can experience working in isolation, with unpredictable markets and weather, at times struggling with their physical and mental health.Leicestershire and Rutland has a dedicated team of 12 volunteers based in different parts of the county with a diverse range of agricultural backgrounds and knowledge. In addition to providing helpline support some of the team are case workers, meeting farmers and walking with them on-farm to gain their trust and help them to talk about issues they are experiencing in confidence. The team also maintains a weekly presence at Melton Livestock Market and provides mental health awareness training to local Young Farmers Clubs and agricultural/veterinary colleges.HELPLINE: 03000 111 999To find out more please visit the Farmers Community Network website at: fcn.org.uk