Annual plant sale raises funds for Shropshire hospice

Posted 14 June 2013

A lecturer at Harper Adams University has raised £170 for Shropshire’s Severn Hospice after holding a plant sale on campus for the sixth year in a row.

Nicky Hunter, a Senior Lecturer in Ecology and Environmental Science, is a keen gardener, and her annual sale has become a regular fixture on the calendar at the university.

The sale, which took place on Tuesday and featured various plants including seven varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, squash, coriander and lettuce, raised £136 in just under an hour which combined with the gift aid is a total of £170.

Over the last six years the sale has raised more than £900 for Cancer Research UK and the hospice.

Nicky, who swears by peat free compost, said: “It started when, as always, I produce too many vegetable plants for my own use so I decided to set up the surplus veg and perennial plant sale to raise funds for charity.

“Staff also get the benefit of cheap garden plants and some unusual varieties. This year the ‘Fat Lazy Blonde’ lettuces went very fast.

“Staff also bring in and donate surplus garden plants, herbs and produce such as home-made jams and chutneys – anything we can sell.

“We support Cancer Research UK and Severn Hospice as these are charities which have supported our families, friends and colleagues over the years.

“Many staff at Harper Adams raise funds or donate directly to charities in some way. Some do marathons and sponsored events and although I cannot run, I can grow plants and gardening is my passion.

“I guess as long as there is a demand for the sale I will continue to over-produce vegetable plants and endlessly divide plants and collect seed from my own garden to sell.”