The 9-year-old behind Bebington Bloomers: the group helping people to plant more wildflowers
A Wirral schoolboy has produced and given out 1800 free packets of wildflower seeds to local shops, schools and playgroups in Bebington.
Oscar Mackay, 9-year-old creator of Bebington Bloomers, does this to make his area a better place to live and to help wildlife thrive.
Oscar created the group after he discovered wildflower seeds at school and decided to plant them with some friends. They formed a club and now plant wildflower seeds regularly.
He said: “To start with, my mum thought my idea was zombies and nerf guns.”
He does this through donations from members of the online community and his parent’s financial support. For each pound that is donated, Oscar is able to produce 4–5 packets.
Oscar’s mum, Beth Mackay, set up the Bebington Bloomers Facebook group to post updates and encourage people to keep planting. The group now has 211 members.
Oscar said: “Our overall goal is to encourage and help people to plant more seeds. As a group we understand the importance of flowers and plants and the benefit they have on our ecosystem and environment.
“Our main objective is to plant as many seeds as possible, in gardens, plant pots, wild fields, anywhere we can.
“We aim to achieve in a number of ways: fundraising to buy seeds, replanting wild seeds that we find, educating and raising awareness of the importance of planting seeds and encouraging people to plant seeds.
“A little seed can do so much; our little group can do much more.”
Oscar has since delivered assemblies in school, speaking in front of his classmates about his new venture, and has discussed his group on BBC Radio Merseyside.
One business that Oscar regularly donates the seeds to is Bear Hunt Books, a children’s independent bookshop in Bebington, owned by Michelle Peters.
They said: “When I was asked if the seeds could be distributed through the book shop I was like, of course, how exciting and they proved rather popular. Oscar is a local celebrity.”
A go-fund-me page has now been set up for people wanting to donate to Bebington Bloomers. The money will go towards seeds and envelopes, with packets now being sent around the UK. The group wants everyone to be able to plant flowers, regardless of money.
The post said: “We just want people to plant, grow things and encourage wildlife to thrive!”
The GoFundMe has now raised £330 and continues to grow towards its £500 target. You can find the link to the fundraiser below.
