You Just Can’t Stop a Good Fund-Raiser

Sue Bradder of Rodgrove is the consummate fund-raiser, having raised £13,000 for a small local charity in Kwa Zulu, Natal, South Africa. For the past eight years Sue and husband Thomas have held plant sales at Cucumber Cottage, in Rodgrove, and have raised £13,000 for the South African charity.

Known as E.C.A.G (Eshowe Community Action Group), the charity has been run by a wonderful family in Eshowe since the early 1970's to the present day. Several thousand classrooms have been built throughout rural Zululand, and in the townships this is vital, as education would otherwise not be available to thousands of children. It’s not unusual for students to walk 8-15 kilometres to reach a school, through hazardous routes, crossing rivers on a rope suspended between the banks etc.

“Three years ago I visited seven of these schools. They are very basic, sometimes with no desks, but with truly dedicated, inspirational teachers. Last year was supposed to be the last plant sale here. In fact the year before was, but I did manage to convince my husband that one more would be it!

“We also opened the garden, and made in excess of forty large cakes for a tea and cake sale. We have a dedicated following from as far as Bristol, Bridport, and the local area, who braved the awful weather. The weather was always challenging.”

- Sue Bradder

This year they’ve had a change of direction, but sticking to the winning formula, they are still selling plants at their gate at:

Cucumber Cottage, Rodgrove, Nr. Wincanton, BA9 9QU

This time the funds are for the Balsam Centre and Growing Space in Wincanton.

“We are also selling plants on behalf of the Growing Space at the Balsam Centre, grown by Nick and his team there. The Growing Space is a wonderful community asset, so please come along and support us.”

Their cause has also been given a nice boost by Angela Whinfield of Snape Cottage Garden in the village of Bourton, who has kindly agreed to let them have a plant stall during her garden Open Day on Saturday 25th April, from 2.00pm-5.00pm at:

Snape Cottage, Bourton, Dorset, SP8 5BZ

Angela is a renowned plants woman, and has opened her garden for the National Garden Scheme for more than twenty years. See www.snapecottagegarden.co.uk for more information.

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