Volunteers gave up some of their free time to create a kitchen garden at The Children’s Centre’s Community Farm. The farm - which is based at Wallberry Farm on the Carnane Estate just off the Old Castletown Road in Douglas - will be open to all of the Island’s community from next spring and will become an educational resource focusing on experiential learning. Eleven staff from fiduciary and funds firm Abacus have spent a total of seven days working to create the kitchen garden. Abacus sponsored the kitchen garden and gave a donation of ?500 towards the project. But the company wanted to do more than make a financial contribution so staff rolled up their sleeves and went to work on preparing the soil for planting, putting up polytunnels and creating raised flower beds. Abacus also donated gardening tools designed for children including spades, buckets and watering cans so that youngsters who visit the farm can look after the flowers and plants andl earn practical lessons about gardening and agriculture. To make sure the children are protected from everything the Manx weather can throw at them, Abacus also donated baseball caps and ‘legionaires’ type hats for sun protection, and winter hats to keep the children warm. Chrissy Cannell, Farm Development Officer, thanked Abacus for sponsoring the kitchen garden and for the donation of gardening tools. She said: “The Abacus team worked really hard and everyone at the farm appreciates their efforts. The Community Farm is a project that everyone on the Island can support and benefit from and we welcome all volunteers who are willing to give up some of their free time to help.” As well as taking part in agricultural and horticultural activities children and young people who visit the Community Farm will take part in workshops and discover how farm machinery is maintained and gain skills in areas such as woodturning and metal work. For more information about volunteering at the Community Farm contact Michelle O’Malley, Fundraising Manager at The Children's Centre, by calling 01624 631919 or emailing fundraising@thechildrenscentre.org.im - ENDS -