Hi friends!

If you know me, you’ll know how much I love plants, growing, foraging and all things outdoorsy.

So, it probably won’t surprise you that on 23 May, I’m hiking up Snowdon with my boyfriend Oliver to raise money for Edible Landscapes London (ELL), a community forest garden in Finsbury Park that means an awful lot to me.

From my day job, I know that most fundraising challenges support friends or family. This one’s a little different. It’s for a garden that supports so many people and animals, quietly, consistently, and in ways you can’t quite put into words.

During lockdown, the garden became somewhere I could feel grounded and connected at a time that otherwise felt incredibly isolating. It’s also where I carried out my Master’s fieldwork, so it’s really shaped how I think about that whole kettle of fish – food, community and our relationship with our environments.

ELL is a not-for-profit community education project specialising in forest gardening – growing food in a way that works with nature, supporting both people and wildlife. It’s a space where people can come together to learn, grow food, build skills and connect, right at the heart of the city.

Despite its impact, ELL runs on very limited funding. With increased competition for grants, it can’t rely on funding it once had which makes community fundraising like this more important than ever!

If you’re able to donate a few pounds, it would mean a lot to me and ensure this incredible place can continue to flourish for years to come.

100% of funds raised will go to ELL.

Thank you so much, Imo xx