At the start of the pandemic, Petrus volunteer and service user Nathan was unable to continue coming down to our community allotment but still wanted to support PIER. He was really concerned about how the pandemic might affect funding and so, he came up with a plan…
Nathan decided he would raise some money by doing a car boot sale with his family and holding two raffles. He didn’t tell Petrus Service Manager Rachael, his fellow volunteers or anyone else what he was going to do. He also didn’t think it would raise much but it did…
In the end, he raised a whopping £320!
Nathan said: “My aim was to get £200 so I was really pleased to get this much.”
When he told Rachael, she was lost for words and proud of what he had achieved!
Nathan had been so looking forward to the day he was back at the allotment and since has helped the team to achieve Bronze Medal and People’s Choice Awards at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park and a ‘Level 5 Outstanding’ In Bloom Award.
Nathan has met with other volunteers at PIER to discuss how best to use the money raised so it can be a team decision, and he very smartly had suggested that we could even keep some of the money aside for other things we 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’s been 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!”
Rachael 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 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 6th January.”
If you have ideas on fundraising for Petrus like Nathan, please contact Sophie at fundraising@regenda.org.uk