Riverside helps children reap what they sow » Housing » 24dash.com

Children from Moorlands Primary School in West Bromwich are growing their own vegetables thanks to Riverside Housing and Mansell Construction Services.

Volunteers from the two organisations, which are working on the nearby Hawthorn Fields project, gave up their time to clear the overgrown allotments at the school and help pupils plant vegetable seeds and potatoes.

Lynda Cooke, Community Investment Officer for Riverside Housing, said: By giving the allotment a makeover, we are not only encouraging children to eat healthily by growing their own vegetables but also helping to reduce their carbon footprint.

Martin Sollars, Mansells Construction Manager, added: Its good to be involved in the local community. We were delighted to clear the allotment to give the pupils an area where they can grow their own produce, and our team really enjoyed the project.

The Hawthorn Fields project is a Private Finance Initiative between Riverside Housing and Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, which will see the transformation of the Harvills Hawthorn and Millfields estates. Residents in Hawthorn Fields are tenants of Sandwell Council but benefit from services provided by Riverside Housing.