Flower fundraiser blossoms for 65 years

NOW in it’s 65th year, the MOTH flower fundraiser continues to flourish. Bright bunches of flowers and colourful arrangements welcome visitors to the Stellawood Cemetery where the MOTHS are stationed just inside the gates.

Funds raised from flower sales are used to keep the MOTH Cottages in good bloom through seasonal sales that trickle in throughout the year and pick up around holidays like Christmas and Mother’s Day.

When Lucy Richmond (95) started selling flowers she did not know her volunteer work would blossom over 45 years. She retired a few years ago, after having a hip replacement. When she started selling flowers in her 50s she was not yet a MOTH resident.

“I used to catch a bus in Redhill, where I lived, to town and then I’d catch the Umbilo bus. The bus stop in those days was near Stellawood Road and I would walk up to the cemetery,” she recalled.

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She later applied for a MOTH Cottage and after a few years moved in with her husband. Richmond has lived at MOTH Cottages for 18 years, moving into a bachelor flat nine years ago after her husband passed away. She has many fond memories of her time selling flowers at the cemetery.

“I loved being there. Sometimes a friend from Redhill who I hadn’t seen for ages. If we weren’t busy, I would go and have a little chat with them,” she said.

Guns and roses
The MOTH bouquets brought people from across the community to the cemetery gates.

“Some people bought flowers to place on graves, some bought flowers to take home, or to give to someone in hospital. They chose the flowers and we would wrap them up and collect the money for MOTHS,” recalled Richmond.

One regular customer became rather infamous among Richmond and the other ladies.

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“A long time ago, there was an Italian man. I can’t say how old he was, perhaps in his 50s. He used to come in every week and give each lady a peck on the cheek before buying his flowers. He always drove a very smart car, it was a small sports car. Then one day, we noticed he had a gun. One of the ladies asked why he carried it and he simply said, ‘it’s best.’ He said it was for his safety. After that one of the ladies would run into the hut whenever he arrived – she didn’t want a kiss from him anymore,” chuckled Richmond

Today MOTHS continue to sell flowers at the cemetery entrance, although the set up has change somewhat.
“The hut was much smaller in those days. It’s been rebuilt by the men from MOTH Cottages along with some Shellholes. There’s a shady place to sit and it’s lovely out in the fresh air,” said Richmond.

“I love being around flowers. I have six children and when I started volunteering, they were all grown up. I was on my own on weekends, so I was happy to help,” she concluded.

• Visit the Stella wood Cemetery on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays between 08:00 and 12:00 to buy a bunch of flowers and support a good cause. Contact Louisa Hitchcock on 068 467 8968.