Volunteer Avril Barker from Weston makes more than 11,000 material flowers for Spalding Flower Parade
A volunteer who has made some 11,000 flowers for the town’s showpiece parade feels ‘humbled’ to be recognised for her work.
Avril Barker, 56, from Weston has volunteered her craft skills to Spalding Flower Parade - which starts and finishes at Springfields Events and Conference Centre on Saturday, May 10 - for the last three years.
Following the tragic death of her sister Teresa Walton and since her dad Alex Barker died she has used her spare time to make flowers to raise funds for charity and to help the parade.
Miss Barker, who has received high praise from the parade committee for her help and support, said: “My sister passed away in a road accident four years ago who was a big supporter of breast cancer and I raised £900 making roses.
“My friend’s dad is in Tanglewood care home where my dad was when he passed away and I make flowers for them.
“I am humbled as I am just doing what I can for the parade.”
Avril used to watch the parade when she was younger and some of her flowers will decorate the trees on the parade route.
She said: ”Spalding doesn’t have a lot going on and it gives a bit of pride when people visit.
“Everyone enjoys the flower parade.
“I am community minded.”
Material has been donated this year by Tsia Pullen and Avril sits in her kitchen making the flowers, which are then collected by a parade volunteer.
She said: ”I have had a massive donation of material from Tsia.
“I am not a TV watcher and I have the afternoon and evenings to myself.
“I sew six pieces of material together and glue on a button.”
The flowers take five minutes each to make and the part-time Bakkavor factory worker has already made another 200 in recent days.
Avril hopes to reach a goal of 20,000 - which she is not too far off from achieving.
She added: “I hope the flower parade continues.
“I am doing my little bit.
“It feels good to be acknowledged - people are so generous - I don’t make anything for myself.”
For further details visit https://spaldingflowerparade.org.uk/
