Crops for community

You might see their bright raincoats pop up amongst the green at Bayfair Gardens during the week – or on the weekend. Whether it’s rain or shine.

Meet Sharon and Rob Parry – the grunt behind the community garden operation that grows produce to donate to Tauranga

Community Foodbank week-in week-out, even during winter.

Bob, aged 84, and Sharon, 81 –octogenarians who are not shy of hard work – are part of a group of volunteers mucking in to help local feed families who need assistance in this high cost-of- living world. Bob regularly mows the lawns and with Sharon helps maintain the gardens, from pulling weeds to planting seedlings.

Sharon even takes home tea towels from ‘smoko’ to wash and return.

“We couldn’t do without them,” says Jo Stock, who is Bayfair Gardens’ coordinator. Jo – in her eighties herself – is always on the lookout for new hands to help out.

To volunteer at the Bayfair Gardens, and to read more about the Parry’s contribution, see page 10. Photo: David Hall.

Rosalie Liddle Crawford, Taylor