'Overwhelming' donations help save flower bench

The flower bench in Washington village was damaged by a falling tree branch

A volunteer group has been "overwhelmed" by donations to help save its flower bench after it was damaged by a falling tree branch.

The "well-used" bench next to a bus stop in Washington Village, near Sunderland, was "obliterated" last week when a heavy section of a storm-damaged tree crashed on to it.

It had been built five years ago and is maintained by the Washington Village in Bloom group.

Volunteer Anne James, 58, set up a fundraiser which more than doubled its £300 repair target in three days. She said: "It's very gratifying that we have got that many people willing to support us, and appreciate what we do because we're out in all weathers and all year round."

Mrs James, who said she is not particularly tech-savvy, said: "I was a little bit overwhelmed because I've never done anything fundraising before."

She created the appeal because, after she posted a picture of the damage, people on social media were asking how they could help.

The fundraiser "snowballed" and reached £650 before she closed it.

The bench (pictured before it was damaged) was built five years ago

The bench, which also featured a bug house hotel, was constructed by Alan Kerry from the group.

It is thought the tree that fell on it had been weakened by previous storms.

"It pretty much obliterated the seat," Mrs James said.

"The council came out the next morning and cleared the tree but obviously what was left of the seat was sticks really."

Mr Kerry had since been able to repair the seat, re-using the damaged wood.

It cost about £100 in paint, bolts and filler, so the rest of the money will be used on more flowers for the village plus tools and uniforms, Mrs James said.

The flower bench has since been restored

The group won the Royal Horticultural Society's Britain in Bloom best village gold award in October.

Mrs James said people had been "so generous" to donate.

"It's a very leafy village so there's always leaves to pick up and bulbs to plant.

"It's nice to know that people do actually appreciate what we're doing."