A young boy with Down Syndrome has grown an enormous pumpkin – winning 1st prize at the Royal Horticultural Show in London.

Ben, 14, lives at a Christian community called the Bruderhof in Kent, UK. Together with his mentor, Mario, he worked all winter turning compost in preparation for growing something spectacular. But just how spectacular took everyone by surprise. By July, the pumpkin already weighed 212 pounds, and in August it was taking 600 gallons of water a week to keep it growing. Surrounded by his school friends, Ben cut the vine on October 1st in preparation for the show. “We were worried it might be rotten or have a rat underneath,” said Ben, but luckily the pumpkin was perfect. When the big day at the show arrived, the pumpkin weighed in at 1248 pounds and won first prize! As Ben remarked, “Even the judges were surprised.”

For more information see www.bruderhof.com