Warrington scouts given community garden help

A scout group will encourage green-fingered Warrington residents to embrace nature by creating a community garden – with the backing of Selco.

13th Warrington East Scout Group has won £500 worth of building materials through the Community Heroes campaign.

The thriving scout group will use the gift to build a community garden close to its Fairfield Community Centre base, including a growing area and a wildlife pond.

13th Warrington East Scout Group will also be a competition finalist later in the year, going head-to-head with the 11 other Community Heroes winners in a public vote to bag £5,000 in cash.

Sarah O'Neill, a leader at the group, said: “We’re over the moon to win this fantastic prize from Selco.

“We’ve been planning a community garden for some time and these materials will allow us to start the project.

“It will be a tremendous asset for the local community, giving them the chance to grow fruit and vegetables. There will also be a wildlife pond which will encourage nature to thrive and will be a hotbed for honeybees.

“We are located in one of the poorest areas of Warrington so funds are extremely limited. Having the backing of Selco is a very welcome boost.”

Selco, which has a branch in Warrington on Milner Street, is awarding 12 prizes of £500 worth of building materials throughout the six-month Community Heroes campaign.

At the end of the process, the dozen winners will go into a public vote grand finale to win the £5,000 cash top prize, or £1,000 as the runner-up.

The scheme is open to any charity or group which is at the heart of its local community and entry can be made by explaining in no more than 100 words how they would use the building materials or money to benefit them.

Entries can be made online.

Carine Jessamine, Selco marketing director, said: “Community Heroes is all about helping good causes across the country as they embark on exciting new projects – and that is certainly the case here. We are delighted to be able to help.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming the scout group into our Warrington branch and helping them select all the materials they need to make this community garden a reality.”

Other Community Heroes winners so far this year include Bury Veterans Hub, St John Ambulance Cymru and Watford Mencap.