WORK has started to transform an overgrown allotment into a safe haven full of fruit and vegetables for a charity which helps vulnerable women and their children.

More than 60 staff from Yorkshire Building Society’s (YBS) contact centre have volunteered to take part in the Grow with Fairweather project at Legrams Lane allotments in Lidget Green.

Resource and Development Manager at Fairweather Debra Chalmers said: “Unfortunately like a lot of charities we have seen our funding cut dramatically in recent years.

“We are only a small charity and without the help from Yorkshire Building Society we would not have been able to do this project – it’s as simple as that.

“The allotment will benefit our service users by allowing them to learn about growing their own fruit and vegetables and, importantly, it will also provide them with a quiet, peaceful space they can use to relax and teach their children about nature.”

YBS Service delivery manager Jane Boardley said: “The Fairweather project has been named Grow with Fairweather and that’s what we want to do, grow as a team, and help Fairweather grow as well.

Fairweather was established in 1982 and helps to support vulnerable women suffering from issues including domestic violence and mental health problems.

The group hopes transforming the plot will act as a catalyst for others and encourage more community groups to join the allotment site.

The project is being led by Participate – a charity which connects willing volunteers to projects which make a real difference in their local communities.

Fairweather expects to complete the allotment makeover by the end of August.