A GARDEN centre has smashed its charity target by thousands of pounds.

At the beginning of 2013, Bents Garden and Home set itself a fundraising target of £12,500 to allow its charity of the year, The Christie, to purchase a state-of-the-art Intensive Care Bed.

But, thanks to the generosity of its customers and colleagues Bents has handed over a cheque for £17,023.

Matthew Bent, managing director at Bents Garden and Home said: “Our colleagues and customers have been hugely generous in helping us to raise such a fantastic amount.

“The Christie has been pioneering cancer research breakthroughs for over 100 years and we hope that our donation will go some way towards helping their work continue well into the future.

“We are now looking forward to working with Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital during 2014, and hope to be as similarly successful in our fundraising achievements.”