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Orchard planting charity in line for royal award

BBC Ryan Simpson wears a red hoodie with the Freely Fruity logo in white across the front. He is helping to plant a treeBBC
Freely Fruity plants fruit trees in parks and other public open spaces

Three mates who hatched a plan to make fruit more widely available, while having a drink down the pub, are on the verge of receiving royal recognition.

Charity Freely Fruity has been going for just over three years. Its aim is to plant fruit trees in parks and other public open spaces, up and down the country, so people have easy access to fruit at no cost.

Friends Ryan Simpson, James Whittingham and Matt Knight said they originally planned to do a spot of guerrilla gardening.

But, during the first Covid-19 lockdown, the idea transformed into growing fruit and vegetables on some land near Mr Whittingham's house, beside the M4 in Berkshire.

Matt Knight stands to the right facing the camera in front of a group of people who are gathered around a new tree in an open green space. He is wearing a red hoodie with the charity's logo in white on the front. He has short brown hair
Matt Knight said the award would be the equivalent of an MBE for the charity

They have gone on to plant several orchards, the most recent one on a recreation ground close to the Whitley estate in Reading, where comedian Ricky Gervais grew up.

The charity was nominated for the first ever round of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The scheme was only set up in 2022, with the then Queen’s Awards being presented last year.

“It’s the highest award you can get as a charity, the equivalent of an MBE, but for an organisation rather than a person,” said Mr Knight.

Royal recognition would also raise the organisation’s profile and the three founders believe it could help them take their work much further afield.

James Whittingham stands in an open green space, next to a small tree with a white label tied to it. He is wearing a red hoodie with the charity's logo across the front and a grey baseball cap. He has a beard with flecks of grey in it
Mr Whittingham said it would be great to chat to the King, given their shared interests

Mr Simpson said: “For three men to start this dream up in a pub, over a few beers, to where this charity has come to today, it’s crazy and mind-boggling. The world literally is our orchard,” he added, echoing the charity’s slogan.

As part of the award, two representatives of the successful nominated charities get an invitation – appropriately enough if Freely Fruity win – to a royal garden party.

Mr Whittingham believes there would be plenty to talk about with King Charles, given their shared love of gardening and the environment.

“I think from what he’s done in the past and the visions of the future and a greener planet, I think he would get us and it would be great to have that chat with him,” he said.

All 14 groups who have been nominated from Berkshire will be honoured by the county’s lord-lieutenant at a special ceremony in Wokingham later this month.

The winners will be announced on the King’s birthday in November.

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