A kind volunteer is appealing for gardening equipment after taking on an allotment for Age Concern in Sandwich.

Steve Harding, of St Bart’s Road, and friends Leslie and Michael Briggs took over an allotment on the same road about a month ago and plan to give all the produce to the centre in Cattle Market.

To help them get started they are appealing for second hand gardening tools, a hose and a shed as well as vegetable plants, flower pots, seed trays, a greenhouse and a 50 gallon drum.

Mr Harding, 58, said: “It’s an allotment from the Sandwich people for the Sandwich people. It’s a blank canvas and we have no tools or anything.”

They have already received donations from Eagle Sheds
in Sandwich, £25 worth of compost from Sandwich Cars and wheelie bins from Dover District Council.

He said: “The response has been pretty good. We stopped it from becoming a derelict site really and Age Concern benefits. I pay the rent and do the work on it.

“I figure the old people have done their bit and I’m heading in the same direction, so every time I have a free couple of hours I’ll go there. It’s better than watching TV.”

Mr Harding is a carpenter and brother to Debbie Hayward, manager of Age Concern in Sandwich.

“It’s an allotment from the Sandwich people for the Sandwich people." - Mr Harding

He hopes to grow enough vegetables and plants on the plot to provide clients with fresh, local produce.

Mrs Hayward said: “He’s been brilliant. He wants to give the customers here vegetables and he’s been working and doing it all for free. It will hugely benefit them.

“Some of them can’t get to a fruit and veg shop.

“They won’t have to worry about getting out and about and carrying things.”

She said, often elderly people living alone can’t buy just single potatoes or carrots at the supermarket and they have to buy a whole bag. This will solve that problem. Mr Harding also plans to grow what they need for pickles and jams.

For more information or if you have something to donate, contact Steve on 07849 254912, or Age Concern on 01304 614237.