Hanging Baskets and Planted Containers for sale in Formby next week

Southport day centre to raise money stolen during a break-in. Staff and students will sell plants outside Formby Bookshop next week.

Staff and students at a Southport day care centre for disabled people are working hard to raise money stolen during a break-in last month.

The group has been making planted containers and hanging baskets and is planning to sell them to the public outside Formby Bookshop in Chapel Lane on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week, from 11am each day.

Thieves broke in through the front of the Learning Rooms in Windsor Road between 3.30pm on Saturday, April 11, and 10.10am the next day.

The gang searched the building before taking a black cash tin and a till, containing around £3,000, an Xbox 360 Elite games console and games, and a 42in LG television.

The majority of the money stolen was raised by people disadvantaged through disabilities or learning difficulties who attend the centre.

The Learning Rooms provide a working environment for people with additional needs to gain life, work and social skills and promote and maintain independence in order to safely access the world of work.

Ruth Wareing, a joint partner at the Learning Rooms, said: “We are determined to help ourselves following our break in.

“Formby Bookshop has very kindly said we can use the space outside of their shop so, weather permitting, we are taking the planted containers and hanging baskets we have made up at The Learning Rooms and we will be selling them to the public.”

Amanda Doyle, also a joint partner at the Learning Rooms, added: “We want to help the students get back into the swing of things after they were so disappointed their money was taken.

“They work hard to raise their money and then use it to fund trips out. The more hard work they put in the more they get out of it.

“They’ve used donations to get supplies to make the plants and hanging baskets and we’re hoping to make money from the sale to start building their funds back up again.”

Story and Photo Source: Southport Visiter