Coronavirus: Kindness blossoms in Whitehead as florist gifts bouquets to unsuspecting residents

Kim Davies, creative director at Victoriana Floral in the Co Antrim town, made bouquets of flowers, using unused stock, and gifted them to unsuspecting neighbours and friends in need of some cheering up.

With Mother’s Day being celebrated at the weekend and the spring wedding season just around the corner, Kim, who employs three staff, had ordered in a lot of extra stock to meet the demands for what should have been a very busy period. However, with many people isolating and couples forced to postpone weddings, footfall in the store has taken a significant hit. Rather than let the flowers go to waste, Kim and her team decided to make the bouquets up as planned to spread some joy.

Kim said: “Mother’s Day tends to be one of our busiest weekends in the florists and while demand is still high for deliveries, some of orders have been cancelled as people are unable to call to the shop.

“On top of this, all of our weddings for the next few months have been postponed with little indication as to when this side of the business might begin again. Like so many small business owners, I’m worried about how this will impact us and trying my best to prepare for a difficult few months ahead.

“That said, already in Whitehead I’m seeing signs of the community coming together to help and support each other so I wanted to do what I could to try and spread some joy; even if just for a short while.

“Any extra flowers we have were dropped off throughout Whitehead and Carrick as a ‘lonely bouquet’ for people to pass on to their loved ones. It’s a small pick me up, but if we can bring a smile to anyone who is struggling then we’ll consider this weekend to be a success.”

Kim and her team have also delivered lonely bouquets at Christmas, Valentine’s Day and other times throughout the year and know far this small gesture can go to make someone’s day. For more information, visit www.victoriainafloral.com or search Victoriana Floral by Kim Davies on facebook.