ALTRINCHAM Garden Centre is one of 49 garden centres across the country to team up with the NSPCC and help raise funds for vulnerable children and families.

The The garden centre, on Green Lane, Timperley, started charging entry to its restaurants’ play areas in October, as part of a national initiative by the Garden Centre Group, to raise £250,000 by September 2013 for the NSPCC.

So far the Garden Centre Group has raised £190,000 through the campaign, with £4,513 coming from customers at Altrincham Garden Centre.

Altrincham Garden Centre manager Jamie Smith said: “We are thrilled to have collected £4,513 for such a worthwhile charity and are delighted to have had such a positive response from our customers.”

Entry to the Group’s play areas is £1.50 per child with 50p going to the NSPCC.

Deborah Sefton, community fundraising manager, at the NSPCC, said: “The support given by Altrincham Garden Centre and The Garden Centre Group for our charity has been tremendous.

“Keeping children safe from harm and abuse is at the heart of what we do and we are thrilled that garden centres across the county are able to support our work by raising such valuable funds, and we want to take this opportunity to thank people in Altrincham for supporting this new initiative.”

The money raised from this scheme will help the NSPCC protect children all year round through its projects and services including ChildLine, the UK’s free, confidential 24-hour helpline and online service for children and young people in distress or danger.

The Garden Centre Group’s play areas are open seven days a week for children up to the age of eight. They include slides, soft play shapes and climbing steps to keep youngsters entertained. Seating areas for parents are located next to all the garden centres’ play areas so mums and dads can watch their children while they play.