A KIND-HEARTED businessman has replaced the tools used by a family and a community group after they were stolen from their allotment.
Tarnia Riches, 32, and her family were left devastated last November when thieves stole a collection of adult and children's gardening tools from their allotment, for which they waited for six years.
But not only were the tools used on the family's precious allotment space but they were also crucial to the community gardening group that Tarnia attends with her friend and group organiser, Vicki Gandy.
The women are volunteers at the Braintree Growers group, which is run by Vicki and based at the Carousel Centre in Chapel Hill, where they work on a wildlife garden for children.
Despite having cheap, plastic spades for the youngsters, they relied on the pair's adult spades to do the majority of the work and were down to just one after the theft.
But after James Brant, the manager of the Vision Express store in Bank Street, read about the incident in the Essex Chronicle, he wanted to help.
"I'm trying to bring the community back in Braintree," he said. "I come from such a small town and I'm trying to replicate that community in Braintree.
"I read about what happened and it's horrible for them to have to get there and find that it's all gone. They are only trying to help the kids out, and being that we are a bigger company we have the option to help them."
James raised £250 for Tarnia to spend at B&Q to replace the tools necessary for her family and for the group to function.
"It meant a lot," said Tarnia. "Obviously, we couldn't afford to replace what we had lost and we would have had to give up our allotment.
"When we need spades for the group we will take them along.
"It's nice to see that there are still nice people about and that they want to do something for somebody they have never met."
The money bought a second-hand shed with a secure lock, replacement spades, forks and seeds and plants, as well as new children's equipment.
Vicki added: "Vision Express's support is fantastic news for our group and will enable us to continue our work in our area.
"I'd like to thank James and the team at Vision Express for their kind contribution. We can now continue with our projects and workshops for the local community to enjoy."
