Prisoners who work in the horticultural grounds at Les Nicolles were disgusted when they heard that a thief or thieves had broken into GROW’s honesty box and stolen probably hundreds of pounds raised by selling plants and pots on Mother’s Day.
They came up with the idea of selling potatoes and tomato plants which they had grown and passing the proceeds to GROW.
Prison officers James Driscoll and Paul Seammen, pictured top, approached Governor John De Carteret, who was fully behind the idea, and the produce is for sale on the prison’s hedge veg stall.
Pictured: Ben Tardif, one of the GROW crew, and Carol Brehaut, Office Manager, with the milk churn ‘honesty box’ from which probably hundreds of pounds were stolen which were meant to support GROW’s work with disabled islanders.
Jess Aughton, General Manager at GROW, said the charity was “bowled over by this kind gesture and very grateful to the prisoners who came up with such a generous idea”.
“Local people who have heard about our misfortune and are as sickened as we are about the theft have donated over £5,000 towards our operating costs,” said Ms Aughton.
“Every gesture is very much appreciated by all our directors, staff and crew.
“One gentleman who came to the vinery to make a donation didn’t want to leave his name. He just said ‘I am a Guernseyman’. His response sums up the caring community we are all a part of.”
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Theft at GROW costs hundreds of pounds of Mother’s Day income