Pupils spread Seeds of Hope in Covid pandemic

The scheme, led locally by the store’s community champions Mandie Porteus and Mark Hopkins, will see the supermarket give away packets of sunflower seeds to customers and communities throughout the country over with an aim of ‘planting hope for a brighter future’.

Mark said: “Owing to national restrictions and lockdown, many people have faced increased isolation and loneliness over the past year, particularly the elderly and the vulnerable but also people who have not been able to see their family and loved ones.

“The campaign aims to connect and or reconnect these people.”

Morrisons Wetherby reached out to three primary schools - Crossley Street, St James CofE and Bramham, giving pupils the opportunity to plant 200 sunflower seeds and monitor their growth.

Mark said: “The children will also be encouraged to colour in the diary and watch how the seeds grow.

“Schools have also been invited to nominate one pupil in a Little Sunshines competition.

“The winners will be awarded a prize for achieving something amazing during the pandemic.”

The Seeds of Hope offer is available as long as stocks last and no minimum spend required.

Miss Beatson from St James’ Primary said the children were excited about the project.

“They will write messages of hope on postcards to someone special in their lives which will be a lovely way to connect and reconnect after such a challenging year being apart from loved ones.

“We look forward to observing and measuring the flowers as they grow to see which sunflower grows the tallest.”