Small Seeds – Big Campaign!

This week, the Eastleigh and Bishopstoke Allotments Association launches its own ‘Marrowthon’ to raise funds that will help people suffering from Bone Marrow failure.

The Allotments Association aims to raise funds towards the Aplastic Anaemia Trust’s national ‘Marrowthon’ campaign whose target is £1 million in support of a research and treatment unit at St George’s Hospital, Tooting, London. This vitally important in-patient and day-care unit has become the UK’s Centre of Excellence for the treatment of people suffering from aplastic anaemia or bone marrow failure.

Members of the Eastleigh and Bishopstoke Allotments Association will be growing ‘Long Green’, the official marrow variety, amongst their other vegetables on allotment plots around the Eastleigh area. The specially packaged Thompson and Morgan marrow seeds are supplied through the Aplastic Anaemia Trust Appeal and keen gardeners will be testing their skill to see who can grow the longest and heaviest marrow.

Association Chairman, Mr Tim Holzer, said: "Growing big marrows is a bit of fun and I’m sure our members have some closely guarded secrets for success. However, this is also a serious campaign to raise awareness about bone marrow failure and help people suffering from the disease. Its nice to think our allotment gardening can make a valuable contribution."

People can visit www.marrowthon.org.uk for more information about the national ‘Marrowthon’ campaign. People can also visit the Allotments Association’s web site at www.eastleigh-allotments-association.org.uk to find out more about allotment gardening in Eastleigh, follow progress on our own ‘Marrowthon’ fund raising efforts or even find out how to get an allotment and become involved in the ‘Marrowthon’ campaign themselves.