Charity battles to keep vital grass cutting service for elderly after £40k funding cut

A vital lawn-mowing service supporting elderly people in Wetherby has survived a significant funding shortfall, thanks to community backing and charitable donations.

Wetherby in Support of the Elderly has harnessed grants, donations and willpower to keep the grass-cutting service despite a £40,000 shortfall.

Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) continued cutting 60 lawns throughout the summer despite losing funding for the scheme earlier this year.

The charity has supported more than 300 grass cuts since April and hopes to help the community’s older people with winter garden jobs and a Christmas tree collection service, if funding allows.

Mark Dobson, chief operating officer at WiSE, said: “For years we have worked in partnership with Wetherby Young Offenders Institute to provide a grass cutting service for older people who find it difficult to maintain their lawns.

“This service is extremely popular and a lifeline to older people who struggle with physically demanding jobs such as these. However, our funding ended in March, leaving us with a massive financial deficit we needed to find a way to fill.

“That’s why we’re so grateful to all those who donated money to keep our lawnmowers ticking over this summer. Hopefully this level of support will continue into the winter and then next year as well.”

WiSE partners with Wetherby Young Offenders Institute to provide the scheme.

The gardeners are all young offenders who have been risk assessed, are trained in horticulture and are working towards other qualifications. The scheme helps to improve relationships between young and older people and is greatly valued by those who use the service.

Donors included Outer North East Community Committee’s Youth Wellbeing Fund, Boston Spa and Walton Parish Councils and Wetherby Town Council.