A GARDEN centre group is celebrating reaching one million donations through a 'digital charity box'.

Notcutts, which has a branch in Nuneham Courtenay, uses technology which allows customers to donate in ‘micro-donations’ by rounding up their shopping to the nearest pound when paying by card, with the difference going to charity.

The chain has now thanked customers at its 18 outlets across the country who have collectively made one million micro-donations.

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Notcutts Nuneham Courtenay is using the donations to support Helen and Douglas House children’s hospice in Oxford, and has raised almost £15,500.

Notcutts has used its micro-donations system since 2016. The technology behind it is all run by a charity called Pennies.

In the past four years, customer donations have raised £342,000 for a range of charities.

Jonathan Tew, general manager at Notcutts Oxford, said: “We would like to thank all our customers who, through their generosity, have helped us to achieve the incredible milestone of one million donations nationally through Pennies.

"We are proud to have raised a fantastic amount which has supported the great work of so many charities across the country.”

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Alison Hutchinson CBE, CEO of Pennies, added: “Notcutts’ garden centres are such integral parts of their local communities, so it always made sense that they would support local causes through Pennies.

“It’s been fantastic to see their generous customers round-up their card purchases over one million times in support of so many charities, from local hospices to air ambulance services.

"Pennies is all about making charitable giving easy, affordable and impactful, and Notcutts customers have proven just what a big difference micro-donations can make. From everyone at Pennies, thank you.”

Notcutts is closed due to Covid-19.