The Haskins Forest Lodge Garden Centre in Holt Pound near Farnham has donated £3,678.97 to Alton charity Dogs for Autism.
The Haskins team chose Dogs for Autism as its charity for 2024 and hosted community events supporting it including a popular customer raffle.
Dogs for Autism, based in Hartley Park Farm Business Centre, provides autism assistance dogs at no cost to autistic people of any age anywhere in the UK.
Simon Hughes - general manager at Haskins, which also owns neighbouring Birdworld - said: “We are all huge dog lovers at Forest Lodge, and with Dogs for Autism being a locally based charity, the team were delighted to support the cause for a second year in 2024. The charity does amazing work providing support animals to aid autistic people across the country.”
Haskins raised money through the raffle, providing specially gift-wrapped prizes, and by setting up a wishing well and collection pots for customer donations.
Dogs for Autism fundraising manager Laura McCreadie said: “We sincerely thank the Haskins Forest Lodge team for their wonderful fundraising efforts in support of Dogs for Autism.
“Haskins’ generous support has helped fund one of our lovely yellow Labradors, Jack. Jack is now entering the second stage of his training, bringing him one step closer to making a life-changing difference for an autistic person in the UK.”
This year Haskins has chosen Winchester-based Naomi House and Jacksplace as its charity. It provides expert hospice care to 500 life-limited and life-threatened children and young adults and their families.
Simon Hughes added: “Our new relationship with Naomi House and Jacksplace means staff and customers will be directly supporting seriously ill children and their families. I am proud of the ongoing efforts of the Forest Lodge team to host events and fundraising activities that will raise money for this wonderful charity throughout 2025.”