Tony Isherwood

Said the following about Keith Murray:

“JUSTIFICATION

Keith has spent a lot of his free time working towards this project, unlike a one-off charity event raising funds on a single day, Keith has dedicated most of his spare time for several months establishing the allotment with the ambition of it becoming more fruitful year on year, providing an increased opportunity to raise money for charity. The allotment is in the local community and has gained the support of the depot employees, with people giving up their spare time and utilising their volunteer day to make this a success.

OPENING STATEMENT

The initiative was started in 2018 when Manchester Traincare centre employee Keith suggested selling excess fresh fruit & vegetables from his allotment at Longsight depot to raise money for charity. The sales of the fruit and veg raised a total of £291, which was distributed between Macmillan, Ronald McDonald & the Poppy Fund charities.

The incentive created a community feel with the employees current and retired getting involved and supporting Keith.

From this success Keith decided to approach the local council about a derelict plot that had been untendered for several years with the idea that it could be used to produce fruit and veg purposely for selling for charity.

On this principle the Council agreed with Keith's proposal.

Keith has also been successful in gaining support from others as below:

Gorton Horticultural society have agreed to donate wood, seed potatoes and onion sets;

Sutton seeds offering 50% off the price of seeds and 15% off other items ;

Retired employees who also have a shared plot and have agreed to donate part of their land and crop to the initiative.

SUPPORTING STATEMENTS

The employees at Manchester have helped set up a website to promote the sales outside of the depot which can be found at:

https://www.railfayre.com/“