Crowdfunding campaign launched by Trees for Cities

by | Jul 23, 2014 | Featured Slider, Latest, News

Trees for Cities is appealing to local people and businesses to help them  raise money to transform the neglected outdoor spaces on Hackney’s  Morland Estate into a safe, green community garden for all to enjoy. The Morland’s Growing Community project is a grassroots resident-led initiative with real potential to transform the estate’s physical and social  heart. There is unanimous support from the estate’s tenants and  Residents Association for the new facilities.

Estate residents voted overwhelmingly for the idea in a postal ballot at  the start of 2014. Further consultation by Trees for Cities has confirmed  the detail of what features residents want to see in their space.  Trees for Cities is now looking to raise £10,000 for the project through a  new crowdfunding campaign. Supporters can pledge from as little as £2  at http://www.spacehive.com/morlandsgrowing.
We have until 20 October 2014 to reach our £10,000 target. As with all crowdfunding campaigns, if we don’t reach this target people won’t be charged for their pledge. Here’s what we plan to do with the money raised:

Build and plant raised beds for community garden
Plant a community orchard of 10 fruit trees
Create a natural play area that helps children connect with nature
Involve estate residents in rewarding volunteering work
Engage volunteers from local business to help with the project.

The Morland has a diverse make-up of different nationalities and there  are many older people living alone. This greening project is a fantastic  way of bringing residents together from different backgrounds.  Evidence shows that, when more people use a space there is also less  potential for crime and anti-social behaviour – a problem that has  affected the Morland in the past.

What some of Morland’s residents say about the project:
“My girls love the idea of fruit trees, plants and raised plant beds to  attract wildlife. It’ll be good for children to see how things grow and need  nurturing.”
“I think it would be nice for the people to go and have somewhere nice to  sit and chat and meet people.”
“I would use the space if there was something to use. Before it had a  fence. Now it is just a green/brown patch.”