More than £1,000 raised in memory of a loved one funds a new fruit cage at Boaz

When Audrey Coates died, aged 89, her family requested donations to The Boaz Project in her memory instead of flowers.

Audrey’s granddaughter Louise, who is autistic, has been a member of Boaz for the past seven years, so it was a cause close to her heart.

The impressive sum of £1,150 was raised online using muchloved.com – a special memorial website. The donations paid for a new metal fruit cage in the allotment garden after an old wooden structure collapsed. Audrey’s loved ones were invited to unveil a plaque in her memory at Boaz – and see the difference the donation had made.

Peter Coates, Audrey’s son, said: “Mum was very close to Louise and would come to the Boaz Christmas carol concerts and summer fetes. We wanted to do something in Mum’s memory that would benefit Louise because of her difficulties. A place like Boaz is worth its weight in gold.”

Peter said his 29-year-old daughter, a talented singer, enjoyed the variety of activities at Boaz – the gardening and crafts – and had made friends. “This place is invaluable for people like Louise. It gives them a sense of purpose. There is no judgement here.”

Louise’s mother, Suzanne, added: “There are so many national charities, but you never really know where the money goes. Boaz is a local charity doing good work that is of benefit to Louise.”

Memorial websites allow friends and family to donate online in one secure place. This means there is no need to collect donations in cash at the funeral ceremony or by cheques sent to the funeral director, then tallied and passed on to the charity.  “None of the fundraising was difficult,” said Peter.

Roger Loader, chairman of the board of trustees at the Boaz Project, said: “We are incredibly touched and grateful that Peter asked for donations to Boaz in memory of his mother.”