PLOT holders at Winsford’s Over Allotments have dug deep to raise £1,000 for a hospice and mental health charity.

“Our members were asked back in April which local charities we should support this year and St Luke’s Hospice and Mid-Cheshire Mind were chosen,” said Mike Allen, chairman of Over Allotments Association. “We’ve come to the end of our fundraising events for this year and we’ve been able to donate £500 to each charity.”

Vickie Baddeley, of the community partnership fundraising team at St Luke’s Hospice, said: “£500 will provide 24 hours of medical care for one person. We can’t thank Over Allotments Association enough for their continued support over the years.”

Beryl Houghton, manager at Mid-Cheshire Mind on Dene Drive, said: “We are a mental health support group and drop-in centre which offers people with mental health conditions a safe environment five days a week where they can relax, feel welcomed and get practical and emotional help on a wide range of issues.

"We are extremely grateful to the Allotments Association for their very kind donation of £500.”

The Moss Bank allotmenteers began raising funds for local charities in 2012 and have raised around £4,500 to date.

Mike added: “We’re already planning our schedule of fundraising events for next year, which begins with our plant sale in the shopping centre on Saturday May 18.”