ALMOST £22,000 has been raised for Macmillan Cancer Support’s new Dudley borough-based project by the owner of a Kingswinford garden centre and his staff.

Ashwood Nurseries collected £21,810 through a number of fundraising events, smashing their target of £15,000 in the process.

The centre’s main fundraising came from owner John Massey’s garden open days and hellebore tours, which saw 3,283 visitors to the garden spread across six special events.

Many other projects and activities took part at the centre throughout the year, including a Macmillan coffee morning in the tea room and staff room.

Rachel Maiden, staff member, said: “During 2015 here at Ashwood Nurseries, we have raised £21,810 for Macmillan Cancer Support and the final total is still rising.

“Thanks to our very generous customers, visitors to John’s Garden and all our hard working members of staff that made it all possible.”

All the proceeds from the open garden and the store’s fundraising will now go towards the Macmillan Specialist Care at Home, a two-year pilot project in the borough.

The project, funded by Macmillan and Dudley CCG, and delivered in partnership with The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and Mary Stevens Hospice, aims to enhance care and treatment for people with specialist palliative care needs or who are at the end of their lives.

John said opening his garden, which is set against the backdrop of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, was a wonderful way to raise money for Macmillan.

He said: “I really value the important role Macmillan plays in the care of cancer patients and their families.

“I believe Ashwood’s fundraising should be used locally and I’m delighted that the money is to be targeted entirely to help one of Macmillan’s most exciting new projects in Dudley.”