Surprise anonymous donation helps inter-generational gardening club secure plans for the future

The Little Onions club, based in Washington has been raising money for an outdoor room at Willow Brook assisted living facility, where they hold inter-generational gardening groups with residents.

The youth gardening programme provides gardening activities and workshops for children, while also working with elderly residents in the area.

The shock donation helped The Little Onion group reach their fundraising goal and came as a big surprise to those who run the group.

Caroline Adams, Manager at Willow Brooks said: “The Little Onions and their volunteers are an integral part of our Willow Brook community. Inter-generational working in Willow Brook brings young and old together in purposeful meaningful activities and promotes greater understanding and respect between the generations.

We have seen a huge improvement in the health and well-being of our customers who engage with The Little Onions especially those with Dementia.”

During lockdown, young members of The Little Onion Club have been supporting care home residents by writing letters, poems and delivering cupcakes.

The Little Onion Club plan on using the Willow Brook centre as their permanent home in the future and the anonymous donation will play an integral role in having their own outdoor building.

Speaking about the donation, the anonymous benefactor said: “It’s the money I’ve saved from lockdown, I thought about what I wanted to do with it and kept thinking of the Little Onion Club. I enjoy keeping up to date with the group's activities online.”

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