Ripon garden centre now equipped to look after hearts and flowers

Tom Tate has a personal reason for installing a defibrillator at the Ripon garden centre and nursery that bears his family’s name,

The family-run business, which was founded by Fred and Frank Tate more than 80 years ago, faced a worrying time when Tom’s son Freddie — the newest member of the dynasty — was diagnosed with a heart condition after he was born at Harrogate District Hospital two years ago.

Tom told the Stray Ferret:

“It was an anxious time for his mum Sarah, myself and all the family, but the doctors sorted him out and he is a healthy and happy little boy.”

Freddie Tate carrying out an inspection of the family-owned garden centre on his miniature John Deere Gator. Picture: F. Tate & Sons

He added:

“With this experience, it made me realise that heart issues can affect anybody, from new born babies to the elderly and  with the 150,000 plus visitors that we welcome here each year, installing a defibrillator made a lot of sense.

“We have people who come to buy flowers. plants and ornaments for their gardens, or to dine in our Olive Tree restaurant and in addition to this, thousands come in all weathers to the annual charity tractor events that we stage”

Tom’s mum Jayne, pointed out:

“With the newly-installed defibrillator we are equipped to look after hearts as well as flowers and we hope that this gives added peace of mind to people who visit us.”

Tates garden centre is the 24th location in Ripon and the surrounding area to install a defibrillator. All other locations can be found be clicking on this link to the Defibs Ripon Facebook page.

Main picture: Tom Tate with his mum Jayne next to the newly-installed defibrillator

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Ghostbuster wish granted for Harrogate boy with half a heart

Ghostbusters super fan George Hinkins, who lives with half a working heart, can now live out his dream of being one of his heroes for the day.

George lives with a rare congenital heart defect called Ebstein’s Anomaly and had his first open-heart surgery at just 36 hours old.

The defect means his heart can’t pump blood to his lungs as well as other people and he struggles with oxygen levels.

In April, the Stray Ferret published an appeal for funds from Make-A-Wish UK to grant the wishes of 62 children living with a critical condition in the North East.

For eight-year-old George, it was a success. Leeds City Council will be helping to grant his wish to be a Ghostbuster for the day by transforming Leeds Central Library into a ghoul-infested haunted house.

The Yorkshire Room, in particular, will be decorated to fit the spooky theme and ghosts will be projected onto the walls. Members of fan group East Midlands Ghostbusters will also be there, dressed up to add to the adventure.

George will also travel from Harrogate to Leeds in the Ghostbusters’ iconic car, Ecto-1.

George Hutchins dressed as a ghostbuster

George said:

“When I’m in hospital, it’s a bit scary. But just like the Ghostbusters, I try to face my fears. I try to be brave.”

George’s love for the Ghostbusters franchise started when he was six years old. He took his Ghostbuster figurines into his third surgery in March 2020.

Rhian Isaac, senior librarian for Leeds City Council, said:

“It has been a pleasure to work with Make-A-Wish to bring George’s wish to life. George’s story touched the hearts of the Leeds Libraries team from the moment we heard it, and we hope that we can help create a memory that George and his family will remember forever.”

George’s family said more surgeries are inevitable and a transplant may be considered when George is older.

To find out more or donate to Make-A-Wish UK, click here.

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