Fruit growers and farmers have helped boost a Norfolk hospice's funds following a �10,000 donation to mark a company's anniversary.

Berry Gardens is celebrating its 40th anniversary by making a �40,000 donation to Children's Hospice Charities in the UK. The Kent-based fruit marketing company works with fruit growers all over the UK and has pledged to donate �10,000 to four hospices, including the East Anglia's Children's Hospices centre in Quidenham, near Attleborough.

The cheque on behalf of the company was presented to the charity by Norwich fruit grower Tim Place today.

Mr Place said: 'This is a wonderful idea by Berry Gardens to give something back to a much needed part of the community as way of celebrating 40 years as a company. '

Jessica Hiscocks, EACH fundraiser, said: 'To receive a cheque for �10,000 is absolutely astonishing and not one that we receive every day. The cheque means so much to us as it could be used to pay for over 250 sessions of music therapy, an invaluable source of support encouraging the children to express their feelings and emotions by listening or joining in with singing or playing instruments.'

Nicholas Marston, managing director from Berry Gardens, added: 'It is our 40th year and we want to commemorate the many fantastic achievements we have accomplished over the past four decades. Many children and young people are not so lucky and have to face serious illness and life threatening conditions. We hope that the donation we have made makes life a little easier for these young people who have not had such good fortune in life.'