Broughton Astley community scheme that sells and hands out plants and flowers is going from strength to strength

A thriving Broughton Astley community scheme is going from strength to strength after being launched earlier this year.

Lainie Whatsize, 35, set up Sows & Grows to sell and hand out plants and flowers as she worked hand in glove with Broughton Astley Volunteer Group.

She has been backed all the way by Leicester-based Coles Plant Centre and local business Reidys Fruit and Veg as they all got behind the NHS Charities Together COVID-19 Urgent appeal back in the spring.

Delighted Lainie said: “We have been ever so busy at Sows & Grows.

“I could never imagine when we set out that it would be such a big success and that so many people would get behind us.

“The people of Broughton Astley and beyond have been great – we are so grateful for their outstanding support.”

She said they have taken plants, bulbs and seeds to Birkett House School’s sites in Broughton Astley and Countesthorpe over the last few months.

“The school is using potato plants in the classroom to show the lifecycle of a potato.

“They have also planted them in the school’s allotment plot with their students,” said Lainie, whose stepson Louis, 14, attends the school.

“I am so pleased to see the fantastic produce they have harvested and also the dishes that they have prepared in cookery class.

“People who donated their veg plants to this project are to be invited to the on-site Fox Lodge cafe to be served a dish using food from the seeds and plants that they donated.

“Birkett House School is a fantastic school.

“We are just thrilled that we have been able to help them out with this innovative and fulfilling venture.”

Lainie’s also been supporting popular Paradise Found educational farm park at Sapcote, near Broughton Astley.

“I popped along there in the summer and was very sad to hear they’ve been forced to sell all their reptiles to pay for food for their other animals.

“They have been struggling because they have had no income coming in.

“I got in touch with Reidys Fruit & Veg, who have been supplying fresh fruit, veg and salad boxes to local people.

“They did have a stall at Leicester Market but now have a permanent outlet at The Bull pub in Broughton Astley.

“Reidys have donated over 200lbs of produce to take down to the farm for the animals that would have gone to waste,” said the mum-of-one.

“I have now contacted Reidys’ suppliers at their distribution hub on Freemen’s Common in Leicester.

“So we are hoping to offer a lot more produce to this brilliant farm park on a larger scale and on a more regular basis.

“Paradise Found is amazing and they are keen to be able to help children with disabilities and special needs.

“This is especially close to my heart as Louis attends Birkett House school and we are hoping he’ll be able to do some voluntary work there.

“One of our Sows & Grows growers has also donated hundreds of vegetable plants for Paradise Found as they have created a new allotment space to become more sustainable.”

Lainie, who works for EMH Homes, is always looking to recruit new volunteers to help her out at Sows & Grows as it continues to grow.

If you are keen to give this inspirational Good Samaritan a hand you can visit her group’s website here: www.facebook.com/sowsandgrowsprojectAnd you can check out Paradise Found farm park here: http://paradisefoundfarmpark.co.uk/