Exeter gardens help raise thousands for local end-of-life care

More than £55,000 has been raised for Hospiscare, the Exeter-based charity providing end-of-life care, through its annual Open Gardens fundraising campaign.

A total of 55 gardens across Exeter, central, and east Devon opened to the public this summer, attracting hundreds of visitors and raising £55,060.93 to support Hospiscare’s specialist services in the region. 

The money raised will go directly towards helping terminally ill patients and their families, ensuring that people in and around Exeter can access end-of-life care close to home. With just 24 per cent of Hospiscare’s funding coming from the NHS, the charity relies heavily on community events like Open Gardens to continue its work.

The charity, which cares for over 2,000 people each year, receives just 24 per cent of its funding from the NHS, relying on community initiatives such as Open Gardens to maintain its work.

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The event featured a wide range of gardens, from large country estates to small cottage plots, many offering homemade cakes, cream teas, and plant sales. The 2025 campaign was sponsored by Otter Garden Centre.

Hospiscare’s Public Fundraising Manager, Laura Robertson, said the community’s involvement continues to play a crucial role in sustaining local hospice care.

“This year’s event was a great success,” she said. “The £55,000 raised will help us continue providing vital support to terminally ill patients and their families across the region. We are so grateful to everyone who opened their gardens and to those who visited and donated.”

One of the standout efforts came from Gill and Rob Clay in Colaton Raleigh, where 17 gardens opened over a sunny June weekend, raising £7,575. The village event, which began as a small idea, quickly grew to include raffles, plant stalls, cream teas, and a sale of floral art by a local artist group. 

Gill, a former Hospiscare volunteer, said the event was a meaningful way to give back: 

“We thought it would be a small local event, but it quickly grew. The community really came together, and the weekend was well attended. We were lucky with the weather, and everyone enjoyed the atmosphere and the chance to support such an important cause. Hospiscare does a fantastic job supporting people at such an important time in their lives, and fundraising like this helps ensure that care continues.”

Activities in the village included a raffle, plant stall, cream teas, and a floral art display by local artists. Visitors praised the variety of gardens, and one guest was inspired to write a poem about the day, describing “a blaze of colour, scent and form” and “a community that rose to the call.”

Hospiscare provides specialist care to more than 2,000 patients and their families each year through its hospice on Dryden Road in Exeter, as well as home visits and community outreach services.

Hospiscare is already planning for Open Gardens 2026 and is appealing for new participants across Exeter and Devon, from city allotments to rural gardens.