MANAGERS and staff at the Wrexham branch of an insurers, have donated thousands to the city's hospice.

NFU Mutual's Wrexham office recently nominated Nightingale House Hospice to receive a donation of more than £3,245 from NFU Mutual's national £1.92million Agency Giving Fund.

The leading rural insurer launched this fund, now in its fifth year, to help local frontline charities across the country. The Agency Giving Fund forms part of NFU Mutual's £3.25m funding pledge for both local and national charities in 2024, to assist with the ongoing recovery from the pandemic and to help tackle the impact of the rising cost of living.

Read more: 'Very special place' hailed during Wrexham hospice's opening of transformation

To ensure these donations reach all corners of the UK and are directed to where they're needed most, all NFU Mutual agencies and branches, with more than 280 offices nationwide, have been given the opportunity to nominate local charities to receive a share of the fund.

Wrexham NFU Mutual branch put forward Nightingale House to receive the donation from the fund, to enable the hospice to transform its garden spaces for patients and families to enjoy - the final step in completing their four-phase modernisation project.

Carolyn James, wellbeing centre lead nurse, said: "Wellbeing is essential to the journey of our patients, and outside spaces have always been integral in enhancing the support and care we offer at Nightingale House.

Read more: Community group promotes the outdoors in memory of much-missed friend

"We would love to improve the garden areas to offer our patients somewhere quiet to sit, reflect and relax in nature, or somewhere to practise gardening skills to enhance mobility, or simply somewhere bright and beautiful to socialise."

Laura Parry, director of income generation at Nightingale House, highlighted the significance of the garden project in enriching the experiences of patients and their loved ones.

She said: "With the hospice refurbishment complete, we are now focused on creating the very best gardens for our patients, offering local families a place of vibrant life and colour as well as peace and tranquillity.

Read more: From grieving to giving - the growth of Giddo's Gift as charity marks 7th anniversary

"Once in place, this garden will be a place of peace and tranquillity for patients and their families to enjoy during their time at Nightingale House Hospice."

Mark Roberts, senior agent at NFU Mutual Wrexham praised the work of the hospice, and the sensory garden.

He added: "Having recently visited Nightingale House and appreciated the scale of the modernisation work, we were unanimous in our decision to support the completion of the project.

"The sensory garden is a true sanctuary in the grounds of the hospice, and I have no doubt that it will provide comfort and respite to families at a difficult time."