Thanks for taking the time to visit my Chilli Willy Challenge 2020 JustGiving page. Here's what's been happening!

Having lost her daughter to a brain tumour, my green fingered friend Sandra jumped at the idea of a Chilli Willy challenge to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research.

We acquired 100 Chilli Willy seeds and Sandra was tasked with germinating the seeds in her new greenhouse through the spring.

As they began to grow we went into Lockdown so we realised we would need to rely on innovative ways to find carers prepared to take on the Chilli Willy Challenge.

Having named every Chilli Willy, we spread the word through friends and family, requesting 'carers' for each Chilli Willy to step forward and take up the Challenge. So what is the Challenge?

To grow the largest single Chilli Willy fruit and/or produce the largest crop of Chilli Willy's on one plant by a judgement day (1st November)

Demand was immense! We sold the 90 Chilli Willy's that Sandra had managed to nurture through their early days, in just two weeks.

People jumped at the names that meant something to them, or that they connected with, whether after ex-husbands or pets. 

Hector and Bertie were snapped up by a friend in Salisbury, names of her dogs. while a friend in Selbourne had to have Barry after her beloved Bee Gees!

Deliveries had to be surreptitious as we were in Lockdown. Chilli Willy's were left in strange places and collected by their new carers. Some even survived 2 days in a plastic envelope through the post. Kevin made it to Plymouth. Hazel recovered in her new position on a windowsill overlooking Bournemouth beach!

The Chilli Willy Challenge has gathered momentum throughout the summer, providing much light relief and banter through Lockdown and beyond. 

A friend offered to co-ordinate a Whatsapp group called 'Chilli Willy Chat' where carers have been able to keep their Chilli Willy's in touch with each other. 

Through this we heard news of Delia taking a holiday in the New Forest with carers Fi and Liz, of Warren's escapades in only just surviving the blowing over of his greenhouse in a storm. 

And we got to hear the news of Bella who was finally strong enough to leave ICU, while carer Auntie Delia shared her expertise with a paintbrush on Chilli Willy Charlie to stimulate fertilisation of his fruit!

Regular emails have also kept carers posted of each others news and settled any queries and concerns that some were experiencing in relation to growing. Some were convinced that their Chilli Willy had been mistaken for a bell pepper in seed selection and some were mystified at the lack of flowers, let alone fruit!

Some carers seemed to be overly kind, changing pots frequently and watering most days. While others took a more 'treat them mean to keep them keen' stand.  Overall the majority of carers certainly seem to have found the positive effects of chatting with their Chilli Willy's.

We have lost a few Chilli Willy's along the way. Whether that is due to neglect or to kindness we can't be sure as we decided that we needed to remain neutral, that Sandra should remain impartial, not giving any advice to any one Chilli Willy carer in particular!

As the banter continued to grow, Brain tumour Research told us that BBC presenter The Instant Gardener (Danny Clarke) would like to be judge of the Challenge. What a great thrill for the Chilli Willy's and their carers!. 

We began to realise that, with social distancing, judging of the Chilli Willy's would have to take place online with Danny. So once again the Charity have stepped in and offered help to co-ordinate a space where all Chilli Willy's and there carers can gather.

It's exciting because we haven't yet all had the opportunity of being in the same space as each other to share our Chilli Willy Challenge stories, and also where we can put our Chilli willy forward to be judged by Danny.

As we approach judgement day we have evidence of many Chilli Willy's being held under wraps in preparation. It seems like there could be quite a number of contenders for the two prizes! 

Watch this space for full results!