BUSINESSES raised more than £11,500 to help maintain and improve Braintree’s iconic public gardens.

Braintree and Bocking Public Garden Trust trust relies entirely on donations and needs at least £30,000 a year.

Previous fundraising has been impromptu, but last year the trustees decided to host a sponsorship appeal, asking businesses to support the gardens.

In total 29 companies took up the offer, pledging more than £11,500.

Each company is now listed as an official sponsor on the gardens’ website and literature.

Speaking at a drinks reception at Holmes and Hills Solicitors in Braintree, George Canvin, treasurer of the gardens’ trustees, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the response, it has been truly amazing.

“The appeal was distributed to almost 100 local companies and 29 have contributed to the appeal.

“It is uplifting to see so many successful business people, many of you who have grown up in the town, helping us to preserve this community asset.”

Catering at the reception was run by Cool Beans Café, which has recently taken over the tenancy on the coffee shop in the gardens.

Supporters included Collette Gleeson, director of CSS Recruitment and Training, who has lived in Braintree with her husband for more than 40 years.

She said: “We have raised four kids in the town and now our grandchildren use the gardens.

“If you lost them it would be like ripping the heart out of Braintree.”

The trustees also announced a brand new classic car show will take place in the gardens this September.

Events such as the Little Legs Festival, open air cinema and the famous family fun days will all return.

In July Alan Rider, of Rider Comms, has also chosen the public gardens to be one recipient of the money raised from the company’s mid-summer ball.

Past events have raised more than £100,000 for the selected charities.

Visit www.bbgarden.co.uk and www.braintreegardenevents.co.uk