Mega rescue for Carlton School's young gardeners

A Wanganui retailer has rallied to the assistance of Carlton School after the school's vegetable plots and fruit trees were destroyed by vandals on Monday night.

After reading how upset the school's students were in our front page story on Wednesday, Mitre10 Mega Wanganui store turned up at the school yesterday with two baskets of vegetable plants, some fruit trees, garden tools and compost to get the school's garden programme back on track.

Bearing the goodies were store owner Jeff Gilbertson and garden centre staffer Nyree Baldwin.

Carlton School principal Paul Petersen said the school had been "blown away" by the level of support the school received after the Chronicle story ran.

"We were contacted by Mitre 10 Mega and a whole range of local businesses," Mr Petersen said.

"I even had a phone call this morning from someone living in Kaitaia who had read to story on the web and she offered to send us some money. She also said she had some contacts in the gardening industry."

Mr Petersen said the gardens were an important part of the school's curriculum, making children more aware of healthy eating and good nutrition.

"We wanted to grow some veges then make soup to let the kids see the complete cycle and also about caring for things other themselves."

PICTURED: With fruit trees at back are (from left) Nyree Baldwin from Mitre 10 Mega Wanganui garden centre, teacher Brenna Pryde and Mitre10 Mega Wanganui owner Jeff Gilbertson. With  baskets of vege plants in front are Carlton School head boy and girl Ethan Perry (left) and Bolu Adesanya.