Salad days
A group of gorgeous gardening gurus thought they would lettuce know about the incredible work they did creating a garden of weeden for our charity partner, Action for Children.
The 18-strong team of managers from Chester, Wirral and North Wales spent the day at Action for Children’s Longfields centre in Wrexham, building raised beds so that children in need had something to plant their vegetables in.
They also spent thyme getting down and dirty, tidying up and weeding to such an extent that the grapeful folk at Action for Children now say their garden looks simply radishing.
Area support manager to Chester and North Wales, Rachel Butterworth, said: ‘As part of our 2019 Ops Challenge fundraising, we decided we wanted to do something that would directly assist children in need.
‘Longfield’s is a centre in Wrexham where children supported by Action for Children go for therapy sessions. After talking to the centre manager about what we could do to help, they said they’d love to have a garden where the children could get involved in growing vegetables.
‘Before we arrived, the inner garden was just a simple lawned area with some overgrown bushes. There was an outer garden too but it needed some serious TLC.
‘We purchased some children’s gardening tools for the kids to use and provided them with a shed, which we painted on the day to make it really bright and appealing for the children. It was an absolutely brilliant day, which all of us enjoyed. As someone said, “it was a really good day for the soul!”’
Action for Children’s Lesley Pike, wrote in the charity’s most recent newsletter: ‘We wanted to let our young people grow food and learn the importance of fresh veg, and so it was an ideal opportunity for Royal Mail to create something truly worthwhile for us.
‘The team worked tremendously hard, and not only did they do the work, but importantly, they raised money and sought donations so that they had the materials to do a brilliant job.
‘The garden shed provided has been lovingly painted, and has been filled with seedlings, watering cans and small tools in readiness for the start of the growing season next year.
‘A few of the children have already been out to see the garden for a game of football and to plant some seedlings, and we now have a flourishing bed of spring onions, salad leaves, beetroot and radishes. Those who have planted something or have seen the garden are amazed and really pleased with the results.’
