"Send seeds to Crete"

"Help the fellow growers in Crete!" This appeal was launched by Dick Ridder at the end of April, following a large fire on the Greek island, which caused problems for a large number of growers.

Aad Alleblas from the Netherlands answered the call. He traveled to Greece to see the damage. Back in the Netherlands, he gives a more definite shape to the call for help: send seeds to Greek growers.

It's possible to donate money as well - but Alleblas told a local Dutch TV station that it's not going well yet. "People are saying, 'We gave so much to Greece already, and it all ends up in a bottomless pit.'"

That's why he's asking everyone to send a packet of seeds - accompanied by a personal message. To this end, he established the Graid foundation. "As 'Graid', we are asking to send these people a packet of seeds with a personal message. Write something to them, encourage them, give them a word of consolation. No matter how tough they try to appear to the outside world, they are no different than you and me," he says.

Which seeds should be sent? It doesn't matter. "A mix would be nice, but vegetable seeds in any case. Just imagine losing everything, and complete strangers send you a packet of seeds. Wouldn't that warm your heart? Wouldn't you think you're not alone in this?"

Click here for more information about the relief operation.