Journalist and presenter, Charlotte Hawkins, was the special guest at a unique secret garden event this month.

Charlotte, who is well-known for her appearances on Sky News and more recently, Good Morning Britain, is a celebrity patron for ellenor - a charity which provides care and support for families facing terminal illness.

Accompanied by husband, Mark, and baby, Ella Rose, the 40-year-old mingled with nearly 100 guests at the event, held at the Tonbridge home of a charity ambassador, Victoria Sampson.

Among those attending was Nick Green, branch manager of Handelsbanken in Tunbridge Wells, Lee Reeves-Perrin, business partner at Cooper Burnett, and Emma Roberts, chief executive of Creaseys - which is currently supporting ellenor.

Food was donated by Matthew Sankey of Sankey’s in Tunbridge Wells – who served up a delicious paella.

Music was courtesy of singer Tom Haacke and guests baked a selection of cakes.

Charlotte, who has been a Patron of ellenor, formerly chYps Children’s Hospice at Home, for a year now, said: “It is such an honour and a privilege to be a Patron.

"When I met some of the families ellenor helps, it struck me how despite everything they are going through, just how happy the young patients are. It was really clear the positive difference ellenor makes to their lives.”

Victoria Sampson, a corporate partner at the Tunbridge Wells-based law firm, Cooper Burnett, and current president of West Kent Chamber of Commerce, has been an ambassador for ellenor since 2012.

She opened up her garden to friends and family under the charity'sSecret Gardens initiative – where individuals or businesses throw open their outside space to raise money.

The event, held on Sunday, August 9, was blessed with beautiful sunshine and raised more than £1,000. This takes the current figure for the Secret Gardens programme to more than £20,000.

"When I met some of the families ellenor helps, it struck me how despite everything they are going through, just how happy the young patients are" - Charlotte Hawkins

Cooper Burnett has set itself the goal of raising £10,000 for ellenor over the next 12 months – with events including a quiz night and a curry night and a team taking on the Three Peaks Challenge.

Mrs Sampson said: “I am very proud to be associated with ellenor – the work the charity does is inspirational. It provides invaluable care and support to babies, children and teenagers, their parents, siblings and family members through what are extremely difficult and unimaginable times.”

Rachel Holweger, fundraising director at ellenor,: “We are so grateful to Victoria for all her hard work organising this wonderful event and for her ongoing support.

"We really appreciate everything that Victoria and her colleagues at CooperBurnett are doing this year to reach their goal. Our special thanks to Charlotte Hawkins and her family for attending Victoria’s event, we are so fortunate to have such great ambassadors and patrons working alongside us.”

To find out more about opening your garden for ellenor contact Angela Ward on 01474 320007 or email angela.ward@ellenor.org