SQUIRE’S Garden Centres has demonstrated its continuing commitment to local communities.
The horticultural group has raised an impressive £24,861.84 through its annual ‘Charity of the Year’ programme.
The initiative, now in its fourteenth year, saw all 17 Squire’s centres, and its Group Office in Farnham, partner with a local charity, from August 1 last year through to July 31, 2025.
Under the programme, each garden centre chooses a charity that meets specific criteria: it must be a registered charity, benefit local people with funds used locally rather than going into a national pot, and support either local people or the environment.
This past year the Wokingham branch of Squire’s Garden Centres chose to support CLASP Wokingham, a self-advocacy group for people with learning disabilities, for whom they have raised £868.
Looking ahead to the new Charity Year 2025-26, which began on August , Squire’s Wokingham will be welcoming new charity partner The Cowshed.
Sam Dickson, Managing Director of Squire’s Garden Centres, said: “This fantastic achievement reflects the passion and dedication of our colleagues across the business and the incredible generosity of our customers.
“By working closely with charities rooted in the heart of our communities, we’re able to make a very real and positive impact.
“I’m hugely proud of what has been achieved this year – every pound raised will help make a difference where it’s needed most.”
Squire’s fundraising efforts were centre-led and varied, ranging from collection boxes and raffles to ticketed events such as its Christmas grottos.
Beyond the crucial fundraising, the programme helps raise awareness of the charities’ work and often creates opportunities for hands-on involvement, providing valuable and rewarding experiences for both charity and Squire’s centre teams.
In addition to the ‘Charity of the Year’ partnerships, Squire’s also supports two national horticultural charities:
Greenfingers Charity, which creates gardens for children’s hospices and for whom Squire’s raised £6,300 this year through the sale of carrier bags.
Perennial, a UK charity supporting people in horticulture – as well as a range of other local causes and events throughout the year.
For information, visit: https://www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk/garden-centres/wokingham/, https://www.claspwokingham.org/, and https://www.thecowshed.org/
