Hospice children invited to try new playground that will raise funds for their charity

Children from Martin House were invited to an exclusive preview of a new children's adventure playground that will raise funds whilst children play.

The team at Tong Garden Centre invited children from the Boston Spa children's hospice to try out the facilities at the new Grass Hoppers Adventure Playground area ahead of the official opening on 27^th July.

Tong Garden Centre's Marketing Manager, Jo Dales was pleased to welcome families and employees from Martin House to Tong: "We have developed the Grass Hoppers Adventure Playground and café as a place that children up to the age of 10 can enjoy with their families and we're really pleased that people from Martin House were the first to try it out.

"We're also delighted to announce that we will donate 25p to Martin House, our chosen charity of the year, for every child who plays at Grass Hoppers Adventure Playground between 27^th July and 6^th September."

Grass Hoppers Adventure Playground opened to the public on 27^th July and comprises a jumping pillow, a zip-wire, a giant climbing frame, trim trail and sand pit; as well as a family-friendly café serving children's lunch boxes, sweet treats, snacks and ice cream. The entry fee is £2.50, but from 27^th July to 6^th September, 10% of this will be donated to Martin House.

Martin House was voted by the team at Tong as its Charity of the Year due to the support that it had given to the family of Tong's receptionist, Christine, when her grandson developed cancer.

Martin House provides family led care for children with life shortening conditions and is Tong's Charity of the Year for 2015-2016. The team aims to raise £5,000 for the charity through a series of fund-raising events and collection boxes at the tills.

Martin House is set in six acres of landscaped gardens in the village of Boston Spa and has a music room, play room, sensory room, art area, teenage den and Jacuzzi. Its services are free to those in need and it supports families from West, North and East Yorkshire. It currently looks after over 340 families and 100 bereaved families.

Tong Garden Centre occupies a 17 acre site in Tong village. It is Yorkshire's biggest independent garden centre with 110,000 square feet of retail space and parking for up to 1,000 cars.

Ends

Photo: Family fun for Martin House patient Zahra and her family at Grass Hoppers Adventure Playground at Tong Garden Centre

For more information or to arrange an interview with Jo Dales please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on;

Direct line: 01430 871360

Mobile: 07971 961574

E mail: traceybaty@three60marketing.co.uk

Web: www.three60marketing.co.uk

Notes to editors

Further improvements that are planned for Tong Garden Centres include a food hall with on-site butchery and bakery, the introduction of concessions and the refurbished restaurant.

For more information, please visit http://www.tonggardencentre.co.uk (website currently under construction).