The garden centre chain has chosen CLIC Sargent, the leading cancer charity for children and young people, as its Christmas charity partner this year - and has pledged to raise £50,000 by Christmas Eve.
A Christmas charity evening on October 4 will launch the partnership and kick-off the fundraising. Other activities planned at Dobbies include Santa's Arrival, Ladies' Night and a Foodie Festival.

Dobbies chief executive James Barnes said: "CLIC Sargent is a fantastic charity to be working with and will touch the hearts of our customers, many of whom are parents and grandparents themselves.

"CLIC Sargent's work is one of a kind in the UK and we look forward to welcoming our customers to the variety of events planned as part of our Christmas fundraising campaign throughout the festive season."

CLIC Sargent Scotland's corporate fundraising manager Julie Millar said: "We are delighted to have been chosen as Dobbies National Christmas Charity partner for 2012. With help from Dobbies staff and customers the funds raised will help fund CLIC Sargent's Homes from Home, which offer free accommodation close to principal treatment centres where families can stay while their child is receiving cancer treatment."

Dobbies chooses a new charity partner for Christmas every year to benefit from fundraising activities held between October and December across its 32 national stores.