Mexborough memorial garden in need of refurbishment as family mark 20 years since death of tragic teen
“We looked at it a couple of weeks ago and realised it would have been Jamie’s 20th anniversary and it needs remembering”
A memorial garden created two decades ago is in need of refurbishment - and volunteers are looking for the money and support to do it.
The Jamie Hatfield Community Memorial Garden on West Road in Mexborough is a tarmacademed area with benches and vegetation around dedicated to people who have died.
It was formed initially to remember Jamie Hatfield, an 18-year-old who lived next door to where the garden is located.
At the time, Jamie’s grieving dad David approached Paula Walford and asked her to raise money to put a bench on the piece of land for Jamie.
Paula told the Advertiser: “All the community got together and raised a lot of money over months and it happened.
“We did all that and there was a lot of publicity.
“Through all the fundraising we raised that much money that we were able to put more benches in for others who tragically died.”
There are now four benches plus some plaques in memory of people who have passed away.
Two years ago, volunteers got funding from Doncaster Council totalling £3,119 to purchase equipment to do maintenance jobs in the memorial garden, as well as purchase new plants.
But now there is a need for more work, admitted Paula.
She said: “We looked at it a couple of weeks ago and realised it would have been Jamie’s 20th anniversary and it needs remembering.
“It’s just a thing that stuck in people’s minds.
“If we can get enough money we would like to put more benches in there.
“In-between all the plants is a rockery which needs digging out and doing up.
“But we need proper digging equipment and funds to pay for that.
“The garden is in desperate need of redoing again.
“I am looking at potential funding.”
Paula, who is on the committee looking after the memorial garden said that she hoped it could be given a boost which would be completed by the 21st anniversary of Jamie Hatfield’s death.
Paula said: “We have got £150 already donated plus money left over from Environmental Pride Project funding so the total is £370.”
One aim is to have a plaque for David Hatfield put in place.
If people want to help, they can visit the Jamie Hatfield Community Memorial Garden page on Facebook to find out more.
The committee is also considering setting up an online donation page.
Paula said: “We are looking at trying to find a way for people to donate.”
She added that a committee member has already written to businesses dealing with gardening to find out if they can help.
Paula said that the memorial garden is important to the community.
She said: “It’s where the families go to sit and think about their loved ones.
“At the time it was a big thing for Mexborough and obviously still is, but it’s in need of a good makeover.
“We have a lot of people who will help us, but it’s the money now.”