Local charity Link Age Southwark has launched a brand new project with the aim of bringing colour and nature back to the lives of older people in Southwark, but they need your help to make it happen.

Bloomin’ Lovely is a fundraiser with a vision of gifting plants to older people who have been unable to leave their homes for many weeks due to the COVID-19 crisis. Throughout the pandemic, the charity have been supporting over 60s who have been unable to do any kind of shopping, which includes buying plants and flowers to spruce up their homes and gardens. This project aims to raise funds to deliver bedding plants, a bunch of flowers or a houseplant to show our older friends that the local community hasn’t forgotten them. A willing band of volunteer gardeners will deliver the plants and can also offer practical help with planting and tidying garden spaces to ensure our older friends’ gardens aren’t left untended.

The charity’s fundraising goal is £5,000 which is being raised through an online crowdfunder page as part of the Aviva Community Fund. Aviva provides their employees with small amounts of money to pledge towards a cause of their choice. The target is all-or-nothing, which means that if Link Age Southwark don’t achieve £5,000 in pledges their supporters will be refunded and the project will not be funded. This is why your support is so essential.

The money raised will contribute to the purchase of plants and flowers, as well as staffing costs and volunteer expenses. This is much needed since the charity have been left with no choice but to cancel their planned community events, such as open gardens and their Sunset Soiree, which raise vital funds to facilitate their services. Your support with this project will enable them to make up the shortfall in order to sustain their service provision at a time when it has never been more important.

Sophie Wellings, Director of Link Age Southwark, says:

“These small acts of kindness can have huge significance for those who are feeling increasingly removed from the world around them. A small contribution from you will help deliver smiles to our community of vulnerable older people who deserve to feel valued.”

Can you help Link Age Southwark reach their all or nothing ‘Bloomin’ Lovely’ crowdfunder target? Visit their page to show your support by 15 July 2020.