Petrus service user raises £320 for homelessness charity garden

At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Petrus volunteer and service user Nathan Statham was unable to make his regular visits to the allotment at Petrus Incredible Edible Rochdale (PIER) on Belfield Road.

Concerned about how the pandemic might affect funding for the local community allotment, he came up with a plan.

Nathan decided he would raise money by hosting car boot sales with his family and holding raffles. He didn’t tell anyone at Petrus or his fellow volunteers what he was going to do.

He also didn’t think it would raise much, but it did, with a whopping £320 going towards the award-winning community charity garden.

Nathan said: “My aim was to get £200 so I was really pleased to get this much.” 

Nathan had been looking forward to the day he was back at the allotment once restrictions were lifted and since has helped the team to achieve a Bronze Medal and People’s Choice Award at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park and a ‘Level 5 Outstanding’ In Bloom Award during the summer.
 

Read more: Petrus Incredible Edible Rochdale receives highest award at In Bloom AwardsPublished: 17 November 2021

 

 

Nathan has met with other volunteers at PIER to discuss how best to use the money raised and smartly suggested some money was kept aside for other things they may need in the future.

Together they came up with idea of making the pond area bigger and better.

Nathan added: “I’ve loved doing this fundraising for PIER and would encourage other people to donate to causes and to keep the allotment in mind.”

Nathan, who has learning disabilities has been supported by Petrus and volunteering at PIER for around 6 years, really enjoys the social side of getting involved as part of the team.

“I love it – people can have banter when we are there, and I like doing everything on the allotment, there’s nothing I don’t like doing. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone again in the New Year!”

Petrus Service Manager Rachael Bennion said: “I’m so incredibly proud of Nathan! From everyone at Petrus, we’d like to say a massive thank you to him for all his hard work in raising this amazing amount of money for PIER and all his great achievements this year, not only at our allotment but while learning as part of our training offer Project 5.

“Our community allotment PIER offers a gardening on prescription service that can be accessed via self-referral or referrals from health services and other support services, and we welcome members of the public to come explore the benefits of nature behind our gates in the New Year when we reopen on Thursday 6 January.”

If you have ideas on fundraising for Petrus like Nathan, please contact Sophie Saunders at fundraising@regenda.org.uk or if you would like to make a donation you can do so online here.