Fareham allotment holders donate hundreds of fresh vegetables to NHS staff at Queen Alexandra hospital

More than 400 members of the Fareham Allotment Association took part in the donation to Queen Alexandra hospital on Sunday March 29 – with plans to donate fresh vegetables every Sunday throughout the Covid-19 crisis.

Members have contributed more than 400 sticks of rhubarb, 250 leeks, and a dozen bags of potatoes from their plots, as well as buying additional fruit and vegetables on their shopping trips to donate to the cause.

Now the association is calling on other allotment owners to ‘rise to the challenge’ of supporting NHS staff.

Allotment association member Steve Lucas said: ‘We have emailed 14 other allotments asking them to take up the challenge – and I have not heard back from any of them.

‘I am very disappointed with other allotments.’

And members are beginning to plant extra veg to keep front-line workers feed in the weeks to come.

Steve added: ‘Most members said they will plant extra veg for the NHS. That will be ready in 10 to 12 weeks but we like to look forward.

‘Members have a good stock of seeds thanks to our trading manger, Pam Chisham.’

The association, which has plots across its sites at The Gillies, Stroud Green, Salterns Lane, and Wickham Road, has previously donated its excess harvest to care homes across Fareham and homeless shelter Two Saints.

Speaking about the recent NHS support drive, 72-year-old Stuart Crowe, a member for three years, said: ‘It’s absolutely brilliant.

‘The one good thing that has come out of this is that people are starting to pull together.

‘It’s a small thank you to the staff, I’m sure it means a lot.’

The donations were ‘keeping the morale up’ at Queen Alexandra hospital, according to one staff member, who asked not to be named.

She said: ‘(The allotment association) left some beautiful fresh produce.

‘I just want to thank every single person and company who are keeping the morale up of the staff at QA.’

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