Leicestershire independent financial adviser firm Furnley House is teaming up with another local business, Willsow, to gift ‘plantable’ children’s books to hundreds of school children in Leicester. 

The IFA firm’s charitable organisation, The Furnley House Foundation, has provided all 223 students at the St Patricks Catholic Voluntary Academy school with a book they can read and then plant in the ground and grow into vegetables featured in the books.

Fellow Leicester firm Willsow Books appeared on BBC TV’s Dragon’s Den last night and received investment from dragon Sara Davies.

Furnley House says the move is a thank you for donations from pupils at the school to its Christmas Shoebox Appeal last year. Children at the school donated toiletries, clothes, food and treats for the homeless.

The books are made from seed paper that when planted in soil grows into the vegetable featured in each book.  

In addition to the donation, The Furnley House Foundation is planning to support more local schools in the coming months, including running a schools competition. 

Stefan Fura, founder at Furnley House, said: “The children at St Patrick’s School all showed that they have the best possible local principles and pride via their fantastic donations to our shoebox appeal last year. Providing these books is just one way for us to express our gratitude to them for their giving spirit and charitable attitude.” 

Charlotte Lynch, head teacher at St Patrick’s School, said: “These books are a fantastic way to get our students engaged with thinking about sustainability and connecting with how food is actually grown. We want to thank Furnley House and Willsow for this amazing gesture and look forward to seeing all the veg grown by our students over the next few months!”

Tom Willday, founder at Willsow, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be teamed up with Furnley House on a mission to educate future generations on sustainability. They are running a great initiative for the local community and we jumped at the chance to be involved.”

Furnley House is part of The Superbia Group and was set up in 2013. It offers a wide range of advice including wealth management and retirement advice.