Bradford garden centre digs deep to deliver a magical Christmas for poorly children

The team at a Bradford garden centre are set to deliver a magical Christmas to children in hospital when they reveal a ward makeover on 1^stDecember.

Tong Garden Centre was invited by Play Leaders at Leeds Children's Hospital to help them to make Christmas memorable for children who are hospitalised over Christmas.

Joanne Phillips, a Play Leader on the general surgical ward L42, was inspired to approach the Tong Lane garden centre after she took her child to see Santa there last year: "The grotto experience was amazing and I wanted to capture some of Tong's magic for the patients who will be with us over the festive period."

Tong's Marketing Manager, Jo Dales was delighted to be tasked with transforming the ward at Christmas time: "We're thrilled to be able to give something back to the community that has supported us so well since we were acquired by new owners last year. We're very happy to embrace Joanne and Katy's vision and we can't wait to see the children's faces when we deliver our magic to the ward."

Although exact details of the transformation are being kept strictly under wraps, the makeover will include several themed trees, metres of tinsel and hundreds of lights that will be switched on by Santa on the first day of advent to mark the start of the festive period.

Joanne's fellow Play Leader, Katy Inman is very excited about the prospect of a new festive look for the ward: "Historically, budget constraints resulted in our Christmas decorations being a bit make do and mend, so it will be fabulous to have a co-ordinated look!

"There's always a bit of friendly rivalry about who's got the best dressed ward at Christmas times, so we're really looking forward to an amazing, magical display that will trump the other wards!"

Tong Garden Centre is one of Yorkshire's biggest garden centres with 110,000 square feet of retail space and parking for up to 1,000 cars.

Ends

Photo: Playleaders visit Tong for a taste of the magic to come

L-R Susan Rayner from Tong, playleaders Joanne Phillips and Katy Inman, Asif Khan and Zoe Tolson from Tong

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

1. For more information about Tong Garden Centre, please visitwww.tonggardencentre.co.uk.

2. Tong Garden Centre is the largest independent garden centre in Yorkshire, located near Bradford, West Yorkshire. On site visitors will find anoutdoor plant department, shopping departments filled with garden furniture, gifts, home accessories and leading brands including Mountain Warehouse, Pavers and Bonmarché, the Coffee Shop, Orchard Restaurant, and the children's outdoor adventure playground Grass Hoppers.

3. This year has marked a number of award successes for Tong Garden Centre, and it has recently joined the respectedGarden Centre Association. The garden centre has been shortlisted along with big tourism names from the region in the Outstanding Customer Service category of the Welcome to Yorkshire White Rose Awards with results to be announced later in the year.

4. Mark Farnsworth and Tom Megginson acquired Tong Garden Centre in May 2015 fromprevious owner Ron Harker, whose family had run the business since 1984.

5. Mr Farnsworth, also owner ofWilliam's Farm Kitchen, opened an outlet at Tong Garden Centre as part of the improvements. William's Farm Kitchen at Tong boasts abrand new butchery and bakery facilities as well as an extensive range of food and drink.