We have made a generous donation to Treasure Island Playgroup at Popley Fields Community Centre to help fund its vegetable growing project, aimed at promoting healthy eating and sustainable living for young children. The £280 donation will be used to purchase seeds, plants, and gardening tools helping the ongoing success of the initiative.
The community garden project, which began this year, teaches young children to plant, care for, and harvest vegetables. As part of the centre’s efforts to educate children about where their food comes from, the garden has quickly become a vital part of the curriculum. The project will benefit parents and users of the community centre as well, with any surplus produce being donated to the local food pantry.
In addition to gardening, the community centre engages children and families in healthy cooking activities using the vegetables harvested from the garden. Crops such as cucamelons and other unique vegetables are grown, allowing the children to explore a variety of produce while learning valuable life skills.
“Teaching children about healthy food habits from a young age is incredibly important to us” said Kim Farthing, Manager of Treasure Island Playgroup. “The donation means we can now ensure the vegetable beds are properly equipped and maintained for the long term. Our goal is to make this project sustainable so that future generations of children can use it.”
The donation comes at a time when outdoor play and learning are increasingly recognised for their benefits to children’s development. Our recent research reveals that over 5 million parents in the UK say their children have no access to outdoor play or nature spaces within walking distance of their home, contributing to a decline in outdoor activities.
Mark Vanson, Sales Director at Redrow Southern Counties, said: “We are committed to supporting projects that encourage children to learn about the environment, healthy living, and sustainability. Treasure Island Playgroup’s vegetable garden is a perfect example of how communities can come together to provide meaningful educational experiences for children. We’re delighted to be a part of this initiative.”
This donation is part of Redrow Southern Counties’ Community Fund which launched this year to provide organisations, schools and groups at the heart of the community with donations to help them thrive and follows our nationwide campaign encouraging families to spend more time outdoors. We have consistently invested in the communities surrounding their developments, supporting local schools, healthcare, public transport, and affordable housing.
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