During lockdown, I noticed how many folk were putting out unwanted stuff for the taking. So I decided to put out our excess plants. They all went! I enjoyed doing this so much, that I thought I would continue, but to ask for donations to Viva.

I had just retired and had slipped into depression. So this new initiative gave me motivation, and a new enjoyable activity to pursue. I can’t think of a better charity to support, than one that gives hope to vulnerable children. Also, our church, here in Kennington, near Oxford, has supported Viva for several years.

I advertise locally: on noticeboards, in the Post Office, in our paper and on the community Facebook page. A neighbour has space in her garden that I can use to store plants in waiting, as well as an unused greenhouse.

It’s great fun trying to make an attractive plant sales display. Using another neighbour’s laminator, I’ve made labels showing the plant, and giving growing information.

I have a simple payment system, with envelopes in my porch for people to pop their cash in, and put through my letter box. I bank all the cash once a month, and transfer this to Viva. I like to loiter in the afternoons, with tea. It’s great to chat and find out what plants people are looking for. Several others have dropped off their own excess plants for me to sell on.

Part of my motivation is to help people access plants without worsening climate change by driving to a garden centre. Within our own communities we have many fantastic plants. We just need this to share them around.

So, my target customers are my immediate community, who can enjoy visiting me on foot, or by bicycle or wheelbarrow even. I manage to get my compost from the milkman.

It is time-consuming, with daily watering, keeping the display looking good and making sure I have a supply of plants. However, it gives me so much pleasure to be able to be do this in my retirement.

I am so grateful to Viva for doing such important work, that I can be a part of, and for giving me loads of encouragement.

You don’t have to be green-fingered like Rosey to be a Viva fundraiser – click here for lots of ideas to raise money for our work with vulnerable children.