Rochdale homelessness worker is reaching new heights to raise funds for local charity

A homelessness worker who has dedicated a decade to supporting vulnerable people is tackling the frightening challenge of a wing walk to raise money for a local charity on Sunday (23 August).

Jane Whitworth, who lives in Rochdale, celebrated working 10 years at Petrus in May this year, and through providing direct support has helped to change the lives of around 425 people who have experienced homelessness.

Thanks to community support, her fundraising page for the sponsored wing walk has received £1,660 in donations so far for the homelessness charity based on Great George Street.

Wing walking is when a person moves along the wings of a plane while it is in flight, including while the plane does manoeuvres and dives from 500ft in the air – and certainly nothing like the Housing First Project Worker has ever done before.

Jane said: “The past 10 years working at Petrus has given me so many good memories, we have been able to help so many people and families to have a better life.

“Petrus has been wonderful to me; I have been challenged and supported throughout with plenty of opportunity to grow.

“I wanted to give something back, so now I’m hoping to take on a new challenge and take to the skies to raise funds for our organisation.

“I have absolutely no clue what to expect, so I’m just going to… wing it.”

Jane has worked in many of Petrus’ residential housing projects, their day service centre ‘Petrus Hub’, as part of their women’s empowerment services and now involved in the Greater Manchester Housing First Project.

She has supported individuals with complex needs, mental health issues, substance abuse and those who have suffered domestic abuse, and has also worked alongside CRC and NPS probation services to help women move away from criminal behaviour and empower them to make positive changes to rebuild their lives.

Rosemary Heyes, Senior Case Manager at Rochdale Probation Office, met Jane five years ago while she was supporting service users at one of Petrus’ housing projects.

Rosemary said: “Jane is a fantastic person whose dedication and commitment has had an impact on the lives of service users and practitioners. There are many people who because of Jane’s intervention have found a pathway out of their challenging lifestyles and have embarked upon new positive ventures and a change of direction.

“I am so glad Jane is doing a wing walk for Petrus. She is so brave and dedicated, and I alongside everyone at Rochdale CRC offer her our full support.”

Liz Varey, Service Lead at Petrus and Jane’s line manager, added: “Jane’s bravery extends further than standing on top of planes. She regularly advocates for people we support, and this can at times be in the face of adversity and challenge.

“I think it’s really brave what she’s doing and represents how Jane is a committed member of our team who regularly goes ‘over and above’ for people.

“Please donate to Jane’s fundraising page because every penny comes back to our charity to fund incredible services which in turn, enables our amazing service users and residents to achieve amazing things.”

Due to restrictions and lockdown, many charities and causes like Petrus have been unable to hold fundraising events and gatherings.

Fundraising campaigns such as Jane’s are now more crucial than ever in supporting the work charities do to help individuals in need.

Jane added: “I want to say thank you to everyone we support, our volunteers, my colleagues, sponsors and stakeholders for a wonderful decade and another decade to come.

“I truly believe in our vision that ‘Together we will end homelessness and create safe places where all people can flourish’ so please donate what you can.”

To sponsor Jane and help her fly above her target, please visit:

• www.tinyurl.com/janeswingwalk