Vote For Deen City Farm To Get A New Path

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Tesco Bags of Help initiative set to boost local charity project

Deen City Farm is bidding to bag a cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative to help it build a build a new, wheelchair and buggy friendly path.

Tesco has teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of £5,000, £2,000 and £1,000 – all raised from the 5p bag levy – being awarded to local community projects.

Three groups in every Tesco region – including Deen City Farm - have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.

Established in 1978, Deen City Farm in Windsor Avenue, Merton Abbey, is free to enter and includes a farmyard, riding school, garden, café and shop.

It is home to animals of all shapes and sizes, including horses, cows, sheep, pigs, goats, all sorts of chickens and ducks, and small furries.

The Farm runs an active volunteer scheme providing opportunities for local people, including those with additional needs or who are susceptible to social exclusion, offering hands-on work experience in animal an equine care, horticulture, retail and catering.

It also works closely with schools and community groups, providing tours, training and support as part of our education programme.

The Farm hosts community events and workshops, is a popular venue for childrens’ parties, and offers low cost riding lessons. It enables thousands of visitors to get close to animals and nature, learn about gardening and gain a greater understanding of where their food comes from.

Operations Manager Nick Golson said: “With funding so hard to come by, this is a great opportunity for us to get an accessible path built, making it easier for buggies and wheelchairs to visit the farm in all weathers. We hope our community of visitors and volunteers really get behind this.”

He said the cost of the path was just under £5,000, so if they win top prize it could be in place for the Easter holidays. Otherwise they will have to fundraise for the difference.

Voting is open in stores throughout March and April. Customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.

There are 18 Tesco stores across South-West London where you can vote for Deen City Farm, with the only one in SW19 being the Tesco Metro in the Wimbledon town centre Centre Court shopping centre.

March 14, 2017