From teddy bears to singing penguins: Jack’s Patch raises thousands for Rowcroft Hospice

Otter Garden Centres Jack’s Patch branch has announced the amount raised for Rowcroft Hospice during 2025.

While the fundraising was initially totalled at £4,531 for the cheque presentation, there was more to add from the collection tins, so the final figure was closer to £4,700.

This was raised through a range of activities. These included a raffle featuring a huge Hamleys teddy donated by a member of the team, nicknamed Rafferty the Rowcroft Bear who was displayed sat in a big rocking chair with a side table, lighting, rug and blanket with children’s story books around him. Two further raffles were held, one for a Body Shop advent calendar donated by Sonja Miller, and another for three Christmas food hampers.

Another success was a book drop off point; customers taking donated books were asked to make a small donation which raised a surprising amount of money. Till supervisor Rachel Hitchens ran a fused/stained glass workshop for staff who were able to purchase the items they made, with all profits going into the Rowcroft pot.

Fundraising received a real boost from donations given to the Christmas animated singing penguins, which sang festive tunes at the touch of a button, delighting children and adults alike.

Jack’s Patch Manager, Emma Devonald said: “We were thrilled to end the year with this brilliant total, all due to some wonderful ideas generated by the team, and the care and generosity given by our customers. We have a close link with Rowcroft as do many of our regular customers and their families.”

Rowcroft Hospice is a charity that supports adults living with life-limiting illnesses in South Devon, from offering advice and emotional support, to specialist end of life palliative care. The majority of funding comes from the local community.

A spokesperson said: “Thank you so much to everyone at Jack’s Patch and to all of your incredibly generous customers. We’re so grateful for your support. Thank you for helping us be there when it matters most.”

For 2026 Jack’s Patch is supporting the British Heart Foundation, the biggest independent funder of research into cardiovascular disease in the UK.