Staff at Aylett Nurseries Ltd on the North Orbital road in St Albans have raised £1,526 for The Hospice of St Francis from their Christmas wishing well.

Instead of charging for a traditional Christmas grotto, the popular garden centre always creates a Christmas display, this year, showcasing animated woodland creatures creating Christmas delicacies in a festive Arctic Cake Factory.

Visitors were invited to give a charitable donation in appreciation of their visit and the garden centre chose to support the hospice.

Julie Aylett, managing director of the nurseries, said: “We’ve been running a festive display for a number of years and for many local families it is a Christmas tradition to visit us during December.

“We were thrilled to receive so many coins in out wishing well and want to thank everyone who contributed.

“We picked The Hospice of St Francis to be the recipient of the money because of their reputation locally.

“Everyone knows someone who’s been affected by a life-limiting illness and we wanted to ensure we did out bit for the hospice’s patients and their families.”

Carolyn Addison, corporate fundraising manager at The Hospice of St Francis, added: “I’d like to thank the staff and visitors at Aylett’s for raising such a fantastic sum for the hospice in the run up to Christmas.

“The money raised will enable our nurses to provide valuable care for patients here at the hospice, or in their own homes, and is so appreciated.”