Strawberry picking helps hospice this weekend

BY SARAH CODDINGTON

Strawberry season may be coming to an end at Val Troost's family farm but there are still some pickings left for hospice.

Ms Troost started giving end of season strawberries to the North Shore Hospice to make jam to sell about four years ago.

After her husband Jim died in 2008 the hospice was always there for her and now at the end of the strawberry season she opens the fields to the public for pickings with proceeds going to the charity.

"Hospice helps so many people and I wanted to do something for them," says Ms Troost.

She has been on the Coatesville farm for 25 years. The family started out growing pumpkins and squash before moving on to the summer fruit that has become an extended family business.

People have been coming with their families ever since and most people know the farm is there from word of mouth.

"It's a family thing to do. We have kids who came here when they were two years old and now they're about 13," Ms Troost says.

Last year was the first time the fields were open for hospice donations.

Ms Troost says friends, family and hospice helpers come to help on the day because it gets so busy.

"We had so many people coming through, it was great for hospice," says Ms Troost.

This weekend is the last the fields will be open for the summer season.

The North Shore Hospice strawberry picking event will be on Sunday from 9am to 5pm.

All takings on the day will be donated back to the charity.

The Troost Family strawberry fields are on 114 Sunnyside Rd, Coatesville.

- © Fairfax NZ News