A donation from a specialist neurological care centre in Stoke-on-Trent is helping a local charity reopen its doors.
City Farm was a popular tourist attraction before a reduction in funding saw it close 
its doors more than a decade ago. A Community Trust called City Farm (Stoke-on-Trent) has been created and is working to reopen the facility, which once welcomed more than 90,000 visitors a year.
Specialist neurological care centre Adderley Green is part of Elysium Healthcare and is located close to City Farm. Elysium has donated £5,000 to the Community Trust to help in the work of reopening City Farm. The donation will go towards re-establishing poultry coops and runs for chickens rescued from battery farms and for other breeds.
At a special cheque presentation ceremony therapy dog Baba, who is part of the team at Adderley Green, was on hand to present the donation along with Hospital Director Val Gill. People supported at the service, along with members of the staff team, enjoyed a question and answer session with the co-founder of City Farm Community Trust Amanda Cotterill and charity trustee Ash Wood.
People supported at Adderley Green shared their excitement about the re-opening 
of the farm and about being part of the volunteering team who work there, including painting the coops.
Val Gill, Hospital Director at Adderley Green, said: “We are really excited at Adderley Green to be involved in this project. Many colleagues and clients – myself included – remember many pleasurable hours spent at the farm before its closure. I personally spent many happy hours with my son there and am looking forward to many more with my grandchildren.
“It was a great loss to the community when it closed and we are really happy that we can be involved
in its reopening. The people we support are looking forward to visiting the animals and seeing them grow. We’re very proud that we have been able to support this project which is such a great asset to our local area and community.”