THEY have won thousands of pounds thanks to people across Hampshire.

Eastleigh-based charity Skill Quest Trust reached the final of ITV Meridian People’s Millions, funded by the Big Lottery and needed the public vote to win £50,000.

After going head-to-head with Worthing Churches Project, they succeeded.

The money will be donated in the new year and the charity volunteers will put every penny towards expanding the Riverside Community Garden Project – once known as Ashtrim Garden Centre.

The project involves restoring the centre into a sustainable community garden growing plants and vegetables, as well as hosting a tea room, play area and sensory garden for children.

Currently a group of volunteers, students, unemployed adults and people on work experience are restoring the three-acre garden centre to its former glory.

And thanks to this funding boost schoolchildren, college students and jobseekers could be offered vocational training and qualifications in horticulture, landscaping, construction, retailing, business and customer service.

Angela Wright, chief executive of Skill Quest Trust, said: “I am so grateful to the vast amount of people who picked the phone up, we have been amazed by the response.”