Special award for garden hero Josh

By gware ginny ware gware@heraldexpress.co.uk

A GENEROUS green-fingered Brixham youngster has been singled out for a special police award for his community-spirited actions.

Josh Thomas, 12, was presented with a good citizenship certificate under the Motiv8 scheme, launched in March.

The Brixham College student grows a variety of vegetables at his allotment patch at Dix's Field which he regularly gives away to elderly neighbours near his home at The Close.

His good deeds were spotted by Police Community Support Officer Lisa Veitch who was visiting the home of a nearby neighbour when Josh turned up armed with gifts of home-grown cabbages, cauliflowers, potatoes, runner beans, radish and lettuce.

PCSO Veitch said: "He is very generous with the vegetables he grows and very, very helpful at the allotments in general, helping to paint sheds for other people and tending the plot of a lady who was in hospital having an operation.

"When she came back home to recuperate, Josh dug up whatever she requested from her allotment and took it to her house.

"I am very impressed with everything he does."

Josh enjoys working up at the allotment and meeting lots of new people there.

He said: "I give my vegetables away to neighbours, teachers at school and my family. I'm just trying to be neighbourly. Sometimes the neighbours give me stuff and I'll make a fruit crumble from it and then take it back over to them.

"I'm really pleased to get this award because I've earned something for helping people, which makes me feel good."

Josh's grandparents, Dave and Jean Thomas of Furzeham Park, have been so inspired by his efforts at the allotment they have persuaded him to help them to create a vegetable patch in their garden.

The Motiv8 scheme rewards youngsters who are spotted carrying out a good deed.

Extra special good deeds, such as Josh's receive special recognition with a certificate, shopping vouchers and free entry to attractions.