Halesowen in Bloom donate plants to Russells Hall Hospital

The award-winning voluntary community initiative, which won RHS Britain in Bloom in 2018, is donating the plants to the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust as part of RHS Gardening Week.

Plants were ordered for Halesowen town centre's floral displays, but with many volunteers in self-isolation there is not the capacity to water and maintain them this summer.

They will now be planted at Russells Hall Hospital instead – in tribute to the staff who are working on the frontline in the fight against the virus.

Halesowen in Bloom relies on sponsorship of displays and they are hoping people will donate to help cover the cost of the plants – with any excess funds donated to the Dudley trust.

Eve O'Connor, manager at Halesowen Cornbow and coordinator of Halesowen in Bloom, said: "As a community, we come together every year to produce the stunning Halesowen in Bloom display, which has achieved international award success.

"Sadly, due to the virus outbreak we are unable to create our usual display this year but everyone involved wants the flowers to go to good use.

"We have decided to donate plants to the hospital in order to thank the amazing women and men who work in our care sector and NHS and to remind them that we are all behind them."

Diane Wake, chief executive for the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, added: " This floral gift is a wonderful gesture and, on behalf of all our staff who are supporting our patients through this difficult time, I would like to say a really big thank you to Halesowen in Bloom.

"I am looking forward to seeing the flowers as they come into bloom over the coming weeks. We know the positive effects flowers and plants can have on our mood and how happy they can make us feel.

"The displays will give our staff a much-needed boost in spirits."