Hundreds enjoy sunshine, music and family fun at Springhill Hospice Summer Garden Celebration

Springhill Hospice welcomed families, supporters and members of the local community to its annual Summer Garden Celebration on Sunday, with visitors enjoying an afternoon of live entertainment, garden games, artisan stalls and fundraising in the Hospice's award-winning grounds.

Running from 11am until 3pm, the free family-friendly event once again opened the Hospice's gardens to the public, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the landscaped grounds while supporting one of Rochdale's best-loved charities. Adult visitors were invited to make a suggested £2 donation, with proceeds helping to fund the specialist palliative and end-of-life care provided by Springhill Hospice.

Throughout the day, the Hospice grounds were filled with families enjoying live music, children's entertainment, traditional garden games and a wide variety of food, drink and shopping stalls. Local traders offered seasonal produce, decorative gifts and artisan products, while visitors relaxed in the sunshine and explored the colourful gardens maintained by the Hospice's gardening team.

The Summer Garden Celebration has become one of Springhill Hospice's most popular community fundraising events, combining a relaxed family day out with an opportunity for residents to learn more about the Hospice's work and the services it provides to patients and families across Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton and the surrounding areas.

Many visitors took the opportunity to browse the Hospice's gardens, which have received national recognition in recent years for their design and maintenance. The gardens provide an important therapeutic environment for patients and families throughout the year, offering peaceful outdoor spaces where people can spend time together during difficult periods in their lives.

Volunteers, staff and supporters were on hand throughout the afternoon to welcome guests, assist with activities and help raise vital funds. Events such as the Summer Garden Celebration play an important role in supporting the Hospice, which relies heavily on charitable donations and community fundraising to continue providing its specialist care free of charge.

The event attracted families of all ages, with children enjoying games and entertainment while adults explored the various stalls and food outlets. Live music throughout the afternoon helped create a relaxed festival atmosphere as visitors gathered across the Hospice grounds.

Ahead of the event, organisers had promised 'a spectacular day' featuring garden games, live music and delicious food, and Sunday's celebration appeared to deliver exactly that as supporters turned out to enjoy the Hospice's annual summer gathering.

Springhill Hospice provides specialist palliative and end-of-life care for people living with life-limiting illnesses across Rochdale and the surrounding boroughs. As an independent charity, it receives only part of its funding from the NHS, with the majority raised through donations, fundraising events, retail income and the ongoing support of the local community.

The success of events such as the Summer Garden Celebration reflects the strong connection between the Hospice and the communities it serves. Every donation, purchase and ticket helps ensure that patients and their families continue to receive compassionate care and support when they need it most.

With another successful Summer Garden Celebration complete, attention now turns to Springhill Hospice's busy calendar of fundraising events over the coming months, as the charity continues its efforts to raise the funds needed to sustain its vital services for local people.