Over a three week period, the Recorder is profiling the finalists who will benefit from a share of £30,000 from Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme – with you deciding who gets £8,000, £10,000 or £12,000 towards their project.

Our second shortlisted organisation is the Boleyn Road Community Garden scheme.

Currently a patch of derelict land, the money will be used to transform it into an area where residents can meet and grow their own produce with the support of the council’s Green Street Community Neighbourhood Team.

Cllr Ken Clark, cabinet member for building communities, public affairs, regeneration and planning, said: “The aim is over the next year to create an area for the whole community with areas to grow flowers and vegetables, benches and possibly a pond. Once complete it will be an green oasis for the local residents to enjoy.”

The garden will bring people living in the Green Street neighbourhood together with a project that is suitable for all ages and abilities, both during the redevelopment and afterwards. It will provide a much-needed green space to grow plants and vegetables, whilst also providing health and social benefits.

“There are already about 40 residents who want to get involved and now we need to help the local community raise the funding needed to take the project forward,” said Cllr Clark. The more we can raise the more we can develop the garden.”

Before work can begin money needs to be spent on clearing away the existing fly-tipping and the purchase of tools and equipment – and of course, a shed to keep it all in.

There are also legal costs involved, while signage will need to be installed to let everyone know how to access the new garden.

Cllr Clark said: “This is a fantastic project that will not only turn a piece of derelict land into a beautiful garden it will also help bring the local community even closer together.”