I was amazed to discover that 2 years ago today I reached my funding target for The Flower Bank, thanks to you. I can’t quite believe just how much we’ve managed to achieve in those 2 years and how we’ve turned my dreams into a reality. I really couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve managed to achieve, the friendships we’ve forged, the community we’ve created and the customers we’ve served. Honourable mentions must go to my sister and husband for their generous support, Julie Wiater for her empathy and fantastic floristry skills, Naomi, Katie & Wai who inject me with energy and enthusiasm, Helen Harte for being a total mensch Paula my neighbour who during the first lockdown continually lifted my spirits and Mauva. Last week I discovered that we’ve received lottery funding to continue our online floristry classes in partnership with Barnet’s Health & Well-being Hub and the Chinese Mental Health Association, part of the money from the bid will pay for us to become an AQA assessment centre which means we’ll be able to issue certificates of achievement to people who learn with The Flower Bank, which is wonderful. Last Tuesday I was contacted by 2 relatives of the late Ann Syrad. Ann had been a NAFAS flower arranger and keen florist and her daughter asked that in lieu of funeral flowers donations be sent to The Flower Bank to enable us to continue our work - I was extremely humbled. Tomorrow, Monday 18 September (Blue Monday) is officially the world’s most depressing day so we’ll be flower bombing Sebright Road in High Barnet it feels positive and besides we couldn’t find a Glum Avenue or Melancholia Lane.
Have a great week