Part-time floristry student, Dr. Sarah Mee, has donated over £180 to Cancer Research. Sarah, who has been taking evening classes at Writtle University College (WUC) for the last four years, decided to raise money after undergoing treatment for breast cancer in 2019.
Sarah is a dedicated fundraiser and has previously completed marathons in support of good causes. In 2020, she decided to launch a new appeal, using floral arrangements.
After studying Halloween arrangements at WUC, Sarah produced a range of displays with an autumnal theme. Hollowed pumpkins and squashes were used to hold a range of flowers and Sarah's son created a stencil that allowed her to carve the shape of the breast cancer charity ribbon into the 'vases'.
Sarah said: "I live on a main road and placed the pumpkin and squashes vases outside with an honesty box and hand sanitiser and chocolates and NHS gingerbreads for Halloween trick or treaters. Overnight there was a storm and the table was on its last legs, but the next morning I found that most of the arrangements had already been collected and people had left over £90 in cash in the honesty box. I wanted to match the money I raised, so donated around £180 to Cancer Research."
Sarah, who is a medical doctor, loves WUC's floristry evening classes - they offer her a relaxing, creative outlet that fits around her demanding job. She said: "The classes can be therapeutic. The teacher is very inclusive and will adapt lessons to fit students' interests. When I get married next year, I'll be using the skills I've developed to create floral displays and I feel honoured when I'm asked by friends to use the skills I've gained to create foral tributes to their loved ones. I'll be using my learning from Writtle to find new and creative ways to fund raise and bring the beauty of floral art to homes wherever it's wanted."