The year has reached its wellington boot point: the moment when I can no longer stroll to the plot in my crocs or old trainers because it’s getting too muddy, wet and cold. I have a pair of navy Hunter wellies, with a pair of thick socks for the really cold days, that are caked in dried mud and have a couple of rips in the sides from too many winters of digging. But they are comfortable, and if I would happily wear them to the shops and on the school run.
This week I am going to do exactly that – in aid of a very good cause. On Wednesday the gardening charity Thrive is launching its first major fundraising day, called Wear Your Wellies to Work. People are encouraged to don their wellies to go to the office, school or university and make a donation to Thrive.
The money will go towards the charity’s work in helping more than 1,000 disabled, vulnerable or disadvantaged people a year through social and therapeutic horticulture. I know myself the incredible benefits gardening can have for physical and mental health, and two years ago I visited Thrive at one of their gardens in Battersea to see the work they do – which you can read about here.
If you can wear your wellies to work on Wednesday, take a picture and post it on social media with the hashtag #welliestowork and make a donation either by text quoting BOOT03 to 70070 and the amount you want to give – for example BOOT03£5, or at https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/thrive/wearyourwelliestowork
Sandy Fitzgerald, Business Development Manager at Thrive, said: “While it’s a busman’s holiday for our gardening friends please don’t feel left out as we’d love to see you in your wellies on your garden or allotment.
“Upload your welly boot pictures on Social Media use #welliestowork and show the world you are giving it some welly for Thrive! And our top fundraiser will win a fantastic welly boot store kindly donated by our friends at Forest Garden.
“If you get in touch with use before the day we can promote your involvement on our Social Media channels and our website. We can also send you some stickers in the post to show you’ve supported us. So please, this September 20th – Give it some Welly for Thrive!”
Visit Thrive’s welly page http://www.thrive.org.uk/wear-your-wellies-day.aspx
HER OUTDOORS 