A Cornish scheme that uses gardening to support people with learning disabilities has reached their fundraising target to buy a new fruit cage. 

People and Gardens is a Cornish community interest company based at Watering Lane Nursery, at Pentewan, near St Austell. Staff launched a Crowdfunder campaign to raise the £1,500 required to fund a new fruit cage. 

The cage has now been bought and assembled ready for the summer growing season. Strawberries, raspberries and redcurrants will be grown. 

Business development manager Bill Simpson said: ’We can now offer a more varied range of produce to our stockists and to our local veg bag customers. It is important for us to grow the commercial side of People and Gardens to continue to build a self-sufficient future for the project.’

Established in 2010, People and Gardens encourages attendees to get involved in the full cycle of growing and selling vegetables, from sowing seeds and picking crops, to packing bags for local customers. 

Through gardening, the organisation says these attendees are able to develop as individuals, increasing their sense of well-being and self worth, developing practical and social skills, and being given equal opportunities in the workplace. 

The fundraising got off to a good start, with a £500 donation from the Cornwall Community Foundation, and they quickly received the remaining £1000. The campaign continued to accept donations once the target had been met. These funds will be used to purchase additional equipment to make the cage more secure. 

Donor Abby Knowles from Reading pledged £200 to have the cage named after her.

For more information about the scheme please visit www.peopleandgardens.co.uk