Teenager with huge community spirit cleans up his Fenland town during lockdown
An online "whip round" has been launched as a thank-you to a Fenland teenager who has spent lockdown tidying his town.
Fifteen-year-old Joseph Beer, who has both autism and ADHD, has cleaned road signs, removed weeds from kerbs, cutback hedges and generally tidied pathways and pavements around the town.
Now a Gofundme page launched by Alee Pardon to raise £100 as a token of appreciation from the townspeople of Chatteris has seen its target smashed.
Joseph's proud parents Mark and Lisa, have been thrilled by the response their son has had from residents who have praised him and given him little treats.
Lisa said: "Joseph came up with the idea to tidy places and clean signs all on his own. He wanted to keep busy during lockdown and he likes routine, so this has been perfect. He has been able to be outside and doing something he enjoys.
"He gets a real buzz out of seeing how dirty or overgrown something is and then seeing how it looks after he has cleaned or cut back. It has been really good for him. He attends a specialist school in Rutland and normally boards there during the week, so for him to be at home all the time has been different for him.
"Unlike other boys his age he doesn't have any friends, he is very solitary - that's how he deals with life."
Joseph, who was diagnosed with autism when he was just three, is thrilled with the Gofundme page and is planning to spend any money raised on new tools to help him continue his good work.
Lisa said: "He has been using our tools, but is really keen to get a set of his own. The first thing he wants to buy his some secateurs and also some hedge loppers.
"He built a trailer for his bike with his dad so he can transport his tools to where he wants to work. He observes what needs to be done when he is out on his bike and then goes back and does what is needed.
"We were a little worried about what people might think, but everyone has been really supportive. People walk past and praise him for what he is doing, he had a box of Maltesers just left in his trailer and one man offered him the use of his brown bin for some cuttings, which was great.
"Getting rid of clippings is not easy when you haven't got a car or van, so it would be great if other people with browns bins offer him the use of them - that would be a great help."
Lisa added: "He intends to carry on with what he is doing, we are just incredibly proud of him. He was born and brought up in Chatteris, he loves the town and has a huge community spirit, which is why he has done what he has."
Posting on the fundraising page Alee said: "Joseph has worked tirelessly around Chatteris during lockdown, tidying overgrown hedges and verges, cleaning road signs. He deserves recognition for this selfless act and we, the community of Chatteris would like to thank him with a whip round as a token of our appreciation.
"Just a couple of quid from each of us could help Joseph buy more tools so he can continue doing what he loves."
Within just eight hours of the appeal being launched the total was standing at £95 and after two days has broken the £500 barrier.
Alee's move came after Joseph posted a catalogue of photos he has taken highlighting the good deeds he has done during lockdown prompting a massive number of messages of thanks from people impressed by his efforts.
To donate visit Gofundme.
