A GROUP from St George's Crypt, in Leeds, has
won a gold award in this year's Leeds in Bloom competition. This is
a triumph for the Leeds Growing Rooms project to rehabilitate drug
addicts and alcoholics. It is part of a 12-step programme about
"accepting God or an outside force for good into your life and
letting you overcome your addiction - . . .to overcome addiction we
need the help of a higher power of good".
The group first entered the Leeds in Bloom competition five
years ago, and reached a silver award last year. The programme is
run by Julian Ward, himself a recovered addict; and, for the
addicts who come to St George's, working in the crypt garden helps
with their training and fitness.
"I am really happy," Mr Ward says, "that we managed to win the
gold this year, but even more proud of the dedication and hard work
that the guys have shown over the years. Their will to escape the
clutches of addiction and lead a more fulfilling life has now been
topped off with this win - the icing on the cake."