A charity dedicated to providing end-of-life care is inviting people to take a fundraising garden tour this year.

From Friday, April 2, gardeners will open their gates and invite members of the community to enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna for a donation to Hospiscare.

As the hospice charity for East Devon, Exeter and Mid Devon, Hospiscare cares for over 2,000 patients and their families every year and relies on the support of the community to provide this care at no cost to their patients.

All of the gardens opening for 2021 will adhere to the latest government guidance on Covid-19. All visitors will be asked to follow social distancing measures and entrants will be limited to 30 people at any one time.

Many of the gardens will offer take away hot drinks and cakes to enjoy and Woodside garden in Bampton, open every Friday from April 2 to September 24, will even have a printed guide and garden quiz for visitors to enjoy.

Anita and Patrick Beasley from Topsham have opened their garden for Hospiscare for several years.

Anita said: “Patrick and I are very happy to support the Open Garden campaign because we think Hospiscare does such wonderful work, and also because we are nosy about other people’s gardens! We love the opportunity to visit different gardens and gather new ideas for our own.”

Over 40 gardens will open this year, with the full selection available to view by visiting www.hospiscare.co.uk/events/open-gardens-2021/ or by picking up Hospiscare’s Open Gardens booklet, available after Easter from your local garden centre or tourist information centre. Booklets are also available to order by calling 01392 688020.

The popular annual Hospiscare plant sale will be held online again this year. Keep an eye on the Hospsicare website from 17 May for further details.

Hospiscare’s Open Gardens could not take place without the kind sponsorship of Otter Nurseries who are supporting the campaign this year.

Hospiscare has three sites in Devon. Searle House in Exeter has a 12-bed ward, while Kings House in Honiton and Pine Lodge in Tiverton both provide outpatient services. The High View centre in Exmouth also provides a nursing and fundraising hub for the East Devon coastal area.

Hospiscare also provides care in the community with Hospiscare@Home in Exmouth, Budleigh, Seaton and Axminster.