A GARDEN centre café has used the tips they get from hot drinks to buy more than 100 new fans to keep hospital patients cool.

Perrywood Garden Centre’s coffee shop and restaurant team in Tiptree delivered 130 fans to wards at Colchester Hospital this month.

Every year, the team donates all their tips to charity and have raised more than £10,000 in the past few years.

The fans, which were bought last year, were due to be delivered but came across delays due to lockdown restrictions.

The fans were purchased from Staines and Brights who agreed to sell the fans to them at cost price, enabling them to purchase a lot more fans with the donated money.

Jackie Newton, Group Catering Manager, said: “Thanks to all our loyal customers for your generosity and support and thanks to our hard-working team who selflessly donate all their tips.”

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Since 2018, a total of £12,490 has been donated in tips money which has been used to purchase a total of 154 fans, Christmas presents for patients, dementia boxes, play equipment for the children’s ward and two cardiac machines.

The team will continue to support Colchester Hospital this year and will be announcing their next fundraising project with the Collingwood Centre, Colchester Hospital’s new cancer centre.

Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity spokesperson Penny Norris said: “The money collected in customer tips by the team at Perrywood has made such a difference in many wards and departments at Colchester Hospital.

“The recent delivery of fans will certainly help keep patients cool and add to their comfort in the future, as normal working resumes.

“On behalf of our staff, Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity would like thank the team for their kindness.”