Like so many people impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown, Melton florist Linsey Ramage has been doing it tough.
But when a customer of her business Thistles Florist recently donated money to her store to help out, I Ms Ramage felt uncomfortable and told her she would pay it forward to someone struggling.
She then hatched the idea of teaming up with her fellow Woodgrove retailers to brighten the day of somebody in need with a “mega prize” drawn from all those involved.
“I’m going to give $100 worth of flowers to whoever wins the prize,” she said.
“Others are going to give vouchers and other prizes as well.”
Ms Ramage said spending more than 200 days in lockdown has taken a big toll in traders, who have all banded together to help them get through.
“We’re like a little family here.
“We all know our own customers too so I have a feeling that everyone knows somebody they want to win this prize.”
A shortlist of finalists will be put into a hat and the winner will be drawn at random.
Ms Ramage said she was looking forward to seeing the winner receive their prize.
“There are a lot of people having a tricky time at the moment, from little kids through to older people as well,” she said.
“I just hope we can make somebody smile.”
