A STOURPORT garden centre has given the Millbrook Appeal a boost with a £730 donation.

Paul Cook, owner of Cook’s Garden Centre, raised the cash by charging a £1 entry fee.

The 52-year-old also collected money by selling bra hanging baskets at this year’s prestigious Hampton Court Flower Show.

Mr Cook, who donated £1,500 to the Millbrook Suite last year, said: “We do look after the Millbrook.

“My dear cousin was there last year and she passed away in February. They looked after her so well that I thought I had to look after them.

“It’s great to be able to give a donation, especially in this economic climate.”

“The bras went down a storm at the flower show,” Mr Cook added, “They raised £230.

“The Royal Horticultural Society asked if we would plant the baskets and we said yes.

“It was our idea to fill the bras to raise the money and all along we were pushing the charity.”

The garden centre, which opened nine years ago, donates money to charity every year. This year, it has raised more than £5,000 and the rest of the cash has been donated to Kemp Hospice and bereavement charity, Noah’s Ark Trust.

About £60,000 has been donated to charities since the garden centre opened.

Avis Field, who works at the centre, said: “What the Millbrook staff do is fantastic.

“I do voluntary work at Kemp Hospice so I have a lot of dealings with people from the Millbrook. We’re thrilled with the amount of money we’ve collected.”

The 78-year-old added: “Paul is very generous. We let people walk around the nursery and all the produce is reduced.

“Visitors have a look around and have free cups of coffee and biscuits. Every penny goes to charity.”

Mr Cook and Mrs Field handed over the cheque and cash to League of Friends chairman, David Wase, last Thursday.