LOCAL gardening expert Darren Everest has been giving away free bunches of sweet peas across the West Wight.
Darren, who has won numerous Gold Awards for his flowers and recently appeared on The Farmers' Country Showdown on BBC One, used social media to offer free bunches to anyone who had gone that extra mile to help others during lockdown, or those who found the period a struggle.
Darren was inundated with requests on the first day, so repeated the offer again the following week.
One of the lucky recipients was Paul Mocroft who runs The Bay Bed and Breakfast in Freshwater Bay. Paul was nominated by a friend for all his help and support during the lockdown.
Another person to receive flowers was Grace Drudge, who will be celebrating her 99th birthday in September.
Darren, who has helped brighten up the days of more than 25 West Wight residents, said: "I just wanted to do something to help cheer people up.
"The idea was for people to nominate those they thought deserved a bunch, allowing me to deliver them to people who had really made a difference in others' lives during the lockdown and to those who have been struggling."
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