Kim Wilde helps raise money for Waste Not, Want Not charity at Gosmore event

A gardening-based charity that helps addicts, the homeless and those with mental health issues has received a welcome boost. Waste Not, Want Not needs to install mains water into its nursery site on the B197 between Stevenage and Knebworth, at a cost of more than £21,000. English singer Kim Wilde and West End actor husband Hal Fowler appeared at a fundraising evening at The Bull in Gosmore, near Hitchin, on Saturday evening.

Musician Kim, accompanied by her talented daughter Rose, Rose’s partner Lawrence, and Hal, gave a memorable performances of swing music, songs from the West End shows, and pop music throughout the evening to the delight of the audience. The event raised more than £2,400 for the charity, which Kim is a patron of.

Waste Not, Want Not nurtures unwanted plants from nurseries and supermarkets, providing a recovery and re-entry into society to reformed offenders, ex-drug users and disadvantaged people. Kids In America singer Kim, who lives in Codicote with her family, said: “We’ve still got a long way to go. But with the £2,460.87 raised on the evening, we have made a great start to reaching our target.”

For 20 months, the horticultural project at the B197 site has operated without mains water. A spokesman for the charity, established in 2008, said: “Currently we have to transport water to the site in bottles and containers, as well as harvesting rainwater in recycled water butts and tanks. Collecting rainfall water can only occur if there is a fair amount of rain. Otherwise, we are wholly reliant on bringing water to the site on a daily basis, which is backbreaking for all those involved. During the drier months, we use up to 6,000 litres of water a week, which means transporting six tonnes of water.”

For more information about the charity’s work or to donate, visit www.wastenotwantnot.org.uk or call Isobel Barnes on (01438) 820154.