Birthday gifts to community

Midlands Seed managing director Chris Green, Brian Leadley, representing the Ashburton Stadium Trust and Annie Bonifant and Sharon Robinson, from the Mid Canterbury Cancer Society all have something to celebrate.

Midlands Seed will celebrate 25 years in business today with generous gifts to two community groups.

The Ashburton Stadium Complex Trust is to receive $15,000 and the Mid Canterbury branch of the Cancer Society will benefit to the tune of$10,000.

Midlands Seed managing director Chris Green said the company had chosen to celebrate by giving back to the community which had supported it since its inception in 1990, on behalf of its staff members, grower suppliers and international partners.

"Our staff are a very important asset to the company and without these loyal and dedicated people we couldn't function at the level we expect," Mr Green said. "We also want to acknowledge our grower suppliers, as it is our ongoing partnership with our growers that has forged our success."

Mr Green said the company had chosen to support the Cancer Society because almost everyone is affected by cancer directly or indirectly, and the wider community would benefit from the contribution.

The donation to the new sports stadium would also assist the whole community.

Mid Canterbury Cancer Society manager Annie Bonifant said Midlands Seed had been generous benefactors in the past, and the most recent donation would be used to support the charity's existing services.

"It's an absolutely amazing gesture," Mrs Bonifant said.

"The money will stay in the local community and will be used to pay for our driving service, petrol, groceries and counsellors." Brian Leadley accepted the donation on behalf of the Ashburton Stadium Trust, which raised money in the community for the stadium project. He said the $15,000 would be used to purchase last minute items prior to the opening of the stadium next month. "We are very grateful for Midlands' generosity and congratulate the company on 25 years of business and community support," he said. "We are right on the doorstep of opening the facility and into the fit-out. We want it to be more than a sports complex - it should be something the entire community can use.