Members of the team at Grosvenor Garden Centre have marked National Baking Week (18^th – 24^th October) with a ‘bake and share’ sale to raise money for Claire House Children’s Hospice, the garden centre’s adopted charity for 2010.

The sale offered goodies ranging from cupcakes to fruit loaf, roly poly to sausage rolls - all of which were sold for a nominal donation with a total of more than £140 raised through the week.  

The ‘bake and share’ sale is the latest in a series of fundraising activities undertaken by Grosvenor in support of Claire House this year and follows abseils, coastal walks and the approaching Snowdonia Marathon – all embarked on and supported by staff at Grosvenor.

“The enthusiasm for this week’s sale was unbelievable with more than 30 members of staff kindly donating their time and home baked cakes and savouries towards the cause.  I think everyone enjoyed themselves both baking and eating and it is certainly an initiative that we will continue to adopt again in the future for charity,” said Jenny Carr, Customer Services Supervisor and organiser of Grosvenor’s ‘bake and share’ sale.

“Every year we choose a charity to adopt for a 12 month period and I have been delighted to see so many members of the team here at Grosvenor embrace the worthwhile cause of Claire House.  The ‘bake and share’ sale has been particularly well received in the staff room!” said Iain Wylie, Managing Director.

“What a great idea!  We are always extremely grateful for any donation to Claire House but we have been overwhelmed with the response from staff at Grosvenor by their generosity and ideas to raise funds.  The need for the service we provide will unfortunately never go away and it is with much appreciation that their support just keeps growing!” said Laura Irving, Area Fundraiser, Claire House. 

To coincide with the sixth annual National Conifer Week (2^nd – 10^th October) Grosvenor, located on Wrexham Road, Belgrave, has donated six Conifers to Claire House Children’s Hospice, the garden centre’s adopted charity for 2010 to provide added interest in the landscaped gardens at the Hospice in Bebington.

To acknowledge the resurgence in popularity of this versatile evergreen plant group, Grosvenor will feature Conifers as its Plant of the Month throughout October. By illustrating the versatility of these striking yet maintenance-free plants - perfect for creating a focal point in any garden - Grosvenor aims to raise awareness that Conifers are equally as elegant grown in pots or as a dramatic stand-alone feature. And, with the winter months fast approaching, many varieties of conifers change colour, providing year-round interest.

With inspirational displays at Grosvenor including their own specially designed Conifer Garden at the front of the Centre during October featuring distinctive varieties including Cryptomaria, perfect for creating a colourful backdrop to any garden and Juniper for flat growing ground cover to keep weeds down, there will also be special offers to encourage visitors to try Conifers in their gardens.

“Simple yet effective sums up Conifers perfectly and for any visitor looking for an easy to care for plant, we would definitely recommend a Conifer.  It is with no surprise then that it has been chosen as the National Plant of the Month,” said Iain Wylie, managing director.

“We were delighted to receive the Conifers from Grosvenor as part of their ongoing support of our work here at Claire House this year,” commented Laura Breen, Area Fundraiser, Claire House.

“They look very eye-catching in their chosen location and as they are also low maintenance, they provide the children with an improved outlook in the already delightful gardens and should continue to look amazing for years to come,” Laura concluded.

“Here at Grosvenor we are committed to helping visitors to the garden centre to make their gardens grow and have the confidence to plant more plants, shrubs and trees to improve the quality of the air we breathe and create more green space for everyone to enjoy. By donating Conifers to Claire House, we hope to continue to show our support of this worthwhile cause,” concluded Iain.

Daniel Griffiths, one of our Customer Service Assistants decided to follow the lead of his colleagues and abseil down the Mersey Tunnel Vents building last Sunday (15th August), raising nearly £300 for our nominated charity, Claire House Children’s Hospice. 

Dan had to climb a series of vertical ladders before he even reached the top of the building!  Definitely not a feat for the faint-hearted! 

Well done Dan!                         

“That was fantastic – a real once in a lifetime experience!” said Mark Jones and James Mabon of Grosvenor who took the plunge and abseiled from the iconic Liver Building on Saturday.

In aid of Grosvenor’s nominated charity, Claire House Children’s Hospice, James, Mark and Harrison Nolan took part in the abseil raising more than £1,000!

“The scariest part was climbing over the parapet and looking down!” said James, “But once we got going, it was exhilarating - although I did sustain a slight injury when I hit the wall!”

“I thought all three were amazing and they made it look very easy although the views from the top of the building showed just how far from the ground they really were!” said Tom Smith of Grosvenor.

Luckily, the weather held off until all three were back on terra firma before the heavens opened!

James Mabon

 “I can’t thank James, Mark and Harrison enough. We have raised more than £50,000 which is the biggest event and single fundraiser I think in our history so really pleased and proud. It will make a considerable difference to us here at Claire House.  Thank you to everybody who abseiled and their supporters for making it such a day to remember,” commented Laura Breen, Area Fundraiser, Claire House.

If this blog has inspired you to try an abseiling challenge, visit
www.clairehouse.org.uk for their forthcoming events.  As you will see, the next abseil is due to take place on 14th and 15th August at the Mersey Tunnel Vents building and we are sure they would appreciate your support!