Otley Garden Centre has stepped in to provide subsidised plants to support the renovation of Leeds Children’s Charity’s Lineham Farm in Eccup. This collaboration, initiated by Leeds University students in memory of a friend, showcases the power of community and charitable efforts in transforming spaces for disadvantaged children.
A Student-Led Initiative
Leeds University student Aaron Cook reached out to Otley Garden Centre for support in renovating the garden at Lineham Farm. This project, financed through fundraising efforts by Cook and his peers, is a tribute to their late friend. The group had already raised £5,000 for Leeds Children’s Charity by participating in the National Three Peaks Challenge and the Leeds Half Marathon.
“I chose the charity due to its innovative ways of providing children and families from disadvantaged backgrounds with opportunities and experiences everyone should have,”
said Cook.
“It means a huge amount to be able to contribute to such a fantastic charitable effort in Leeds; as students from the University of Leeds, we think it’s important to contribute in a positive and meaningful way to the Leeds community. We wanted to do a big community project to mark our final year and we are grateful to Andy Bradley and the team at Otley Garden Centre for helping us to achieve our goal.”
Transforming Lineham Farm
The renovation project at Lineham Farm saw a team of 20 students and volunteers working together to revamp three key areas of the garden. The work included installing a new bench, landscaping, and planting over 150 plants.
Thanks to Otley Garden Centre’s support, the team was able to secure more plants and supplies than initially expected. The plants provided included Hydrangeas, Salvias, Anemones, and Hollyhocks, all of which will contribute to the beautification and functionality of the garden.
“With Otley Garden Centre’s support, we have managed to get a lot more plants and supplies than expected, which will definitely help with all the different areas we want to re-plant throughout the grounds,”
added Cook.
A Community Effort
Otley Garden Centre, part of the Yorkshire Garden Centres family, has a strong commitment to community engagement. Andy Bradley, Manager at Otley Garden Centre, expressed his pride in supporting the project.
“The team at Leeds Children’s Charity works with some of the city’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children, with the aim of improving their physical and mental health. We’re a community-focused business and are proud and delighted to be able to support this project,”
said Bradley.
Leeds Children’s Charity and Lineham Farm
Leeds Children’s Charity, which merged with Lineham Farm in 2020, has a long-standing history of providing respite breaks for disadvantaged children. The merger has allowed them to enhance their offerings within a best-in-class outdoor educational complex set in a beautiful 120-acre countryside setting.
The Yorkshire Garden Centres Family
Otley Garden Centre is a member of the Yorkshire Garden Centres family, which includes Tong, Tingley, and Bingley Garden Centres, as well as Dean’s in York and Scarborough. This network of garden centres is dedicated to supporting local communities through various initiatives and projects.
