Green-fingered supporters raise thousands of pounds for hospice

Gardeners opened their gates to the public this summer and raised more than £55,000 to help fund local end-of-life care.

Hospiscare’s Open Garden’s event saw green-fingered supporters of the charity opening 55 gardens – from sweeping estates to country cottage plots - across Exeter, central and east Devon.

Hospiscare’s Open Gardens is an annual event for gardeners to share their spaces with visitors - to admire the flora and fauna, and exchange gardening advice and tips. Many garden openings also include homemade cakes and afternoon teas.

Hospiscare’s Public Fundraising Manager, Laura Robertson, says, “This year’s event was a great success, raising £55,060.93. This vital funding will help our terminally ill patients and their families.

“We are sending our heartfelt thanks to everyone who opened their gardens and shared their beautiful green spaces, as well as those who visited and supported the event. We are also so grateful to Otter Garden Centre for sponsoring this year’s campaign.”

Hospiscare is the local hospice charity for Exeter, central and east Devon, and provides specialist care for more than 2,000 patients and their families every year.

Just 24 per cent of the charity’s funding comes from the NHS, so the charity depends on the support of the community, through events like Open Gardens, to provide this care at no cost to its patients and their families.

Keen gardeners Gill and Rob Clay opened their garden in Colaton Raleigh, alongside 16 others in their village, and collectively raised £7,575.

The gardens, including small country cottages in the centre of the village and larger plots with panoramic views of the countryside, opened during a sunny weekend in June.

Community interest grew after Gill, a former Hospiscare volunteer, advertised for support around the village.

Gill says, “Being involved with Open Gardens was a rewarding experience. Having imagined it would be a small village affair, we were surprised and delighted it became quite a large event, growing from seven gardens initially to 17.”

As well as the gardens, Gill said there were activities in the village hall, including a raffle, plant stall, cream teas, and a sale of floral art by a local artist’s group.

“We were blessed with fine weather, and the event was well-attended and much enjoyed by visitors and all those who participated.

“I’ve seen first-hand what a fantastic job Hospiscare does. It’s essential to raise funds and keep the hospice going.”

One visitor enjoyed the gardens at Colaton Raleigh so much she penned a poem, including the words: “The village gardens were open to all. What a blaze of colour, scent and form, midst a community that rise to the call”.

Planning is already in place for next year’s event, and Hospiscare is looking for people to open their gardens in 2026.

From country cottages to city allotments, Open Gardens 2026 needs a variety of gardens from across the heart of Devon.

If you’re interested in opening your garden for Hospiscare, please visit www.hospiscare.co.uk/opengardens or get in touch with their fundraising team by emailing fundraising@hospiscare.co.uk.