Otter Garden Centres Torbay has revealed the fundraising total for 2018, its second year of supporting Devon Air Ambulance.

Customers and staff events helped to generate a total of almost £4,000 throughout the year.

Intrepid employee, Richard Vanstone, agreed to have his head shaved for the second year in a row to help raise funds, whilst Alice Bamber, daughter of staff member Andrew Bamber, raised funds by creating Christmas animal decorations at school by recycling magazines. Another major fundraising attraction was an entertaining animated reindeer display at Christmas.

Branch manager, Emma Devonald said:

Devon Air Ambulance, which helped over 1,000 patients in 2018, is a vital part of the Devon community and we’re pleased with the results of our fundraising efforts to support the charity.

Our customers have been very generous with their donations once again, so many thanks to everyone who dug deep. I would also like to add a thank you to former employee Julia Stone – Julia has now left the garden centre but was a huge part of our fundraising efforts over the two years.

Together with the £4,500 raised last year, this means the garden centre has handed over around £8,500 to Devon Air Ambulance.

DAA Fundraising Manager Tracy Owen said:

We are extremely grateful to Otter Garden Centres for their continued support over the last two years, during which the Otter Garden Centre teams and customers have raised a significant amount of money for DAA.

We would like to say a huge thank all of their staff and customers for their generous donations. Last year it cost £7.5 million to keep the service operational so every penny raised will make a real difference.

Would your business or organisation like to get on board and support Devon Air Ambulance? Contact Tracy on 01392 466666.