Tommy Sheppard MP has called on Edinburgh businesses to help a Craigmillar-based community project reach its fundraising target.

The Craigmillar Community Grows project supports a variety of community gardens and growing projects run by local groups for local people in Craigmillar. The project uses gardening and growing activities to offer local people opportunities to improve their health and wellbeing, and develop their confidence and skills, as well as helping develop beautiful greenspaces for the whole community to enjoy.

Tommy Sheppard MP is a keen supporter of the project, which is run by Carr Gomm – a leading Scottish social care and community development charity. Tommy said:

“Craigmillar Community Grows is a wonderful project that not only provides access to healthier foods; it supports people to make connections and friendships in the community. A power of work has been done to raise £12,000 so far and with a wee bit of help they can achieve the final push to the target.”

A major Scottish trust have pledged £15,000 towards the project – on the condition that Carr Gomm raises another £15,000 to match this. Thanks to donations from members of the public, the EDI Group and CCG Construction Group, and the People’s Postcode Trust they’ve managed to raise £12,000 so far.

Eilidh MacDonald, head of community development at Carr Gomm, said:

“We’re thrilled that Tommy Sheppard MP is backing our fundraising appeal. And we’re really grateful for all the support we’ve received so far. If we can just raise this final £3,000, we’ll be able to do so much more to support and encourage community gardening and growing across Craigmillar.

 Most people know that getting out in the garden can be really therapeutic, but what many don’t realise is that community gardening activities can make a real difference to people with mental health issues, as well as bringing communities together and improving the local environment.

 Craigmillar Community Grows is a really unique project as it provides local groups with expert support and facilitation, to enable their projects – and their gardens – to really flourish. Our community project worker helps groups to organise themselves and develop their activities, as well as providing lots of expert knowledge on gardening and horticulture. There’s a lot of demand for this kind of support – so we really hope we’ll be able to run the project for another year, and beyond.”

For more information on the project, and how to donate, go to: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/digdeep