A GROUP of friends who bonded over the shared love of their allotments have been growing produce to support a hospice charity in memory of a friend.

Led by founding member Jon Stephenson, ‘The Allotmenteers’ from Northallerton have been growing vegetables in memory of their friend Paul Brennan – known as Bren.

Bren was cared for in the last days of his life in November 2019 by Herriot Hospice Homecare carers.

The group is donating the proceeds from the vegetables they grow and sell to support Herriot Hospice Homecare's care and support across Hambleton and Richmondshire.

Mr Stephenson said: “Following the death of our dear friend Bren in November 2019, we decided to set up a memorial fund in his name to say thank you to Herriot Hospice Homecare for all the support and comfort they provided to him and his family.

“We started ‘The Allotmenteers’ project in Bren’s memory. In his last summer months, he would take a daily walk and would come to the allotment, sit under the shade of our plum tree and listen to the birdsong, enjoying the peace and quiet.

“We’d swap old memories and crazy stories from our school days to the present.

“Bren was one of the funniest people you could ever meet. He would keep us laughing all day and take the mickey out of us trying to dig the rock-hard soil on the allotment plots, like ‘Mad Dogs and Englishmen out in the midday sun’.

“Sadly, he died too soon aged just 52 in November that year, but his spirit – and the spinach he planted – will live on forever with us all at the allotments and through our tribute fundraising with Herriot Hospice Homecare.

“We have set up the memorial fund with Herriot Hospice Homecare, to not only thank them for the amazing work they do through their care for those living with a terminal illness, but also to draw attention to the other invaluable services they offer. We know of many people in our community who have benefitted from the other support services that Herriot provides to local people living with terminal illness and bereavement.”

Paul’s wife Michelle Brennan said: “Herriot supported Bren and I in the last few days of his life. They provided support to ensure he was comfortable and carried out his dying wish to be at home. They also helped with my bereavement following his death.”

Mr Stephenson added: “We know that Herriot Hospice Homecare relies partly on donations and in Bren’s memory, we have lots of fundraising ideas planned for the future to help the hospice carry on its work.

“Bren was such a fun loving, sociable, highly regarded and gentle person, who was very much loved by all who knew him. From his friends and family to colleagues at the Friarage Hospital, where he worked as an Operating Department Practitioner, to many fans and mates at his beloved Middlesbrough FC, which he supported avidly since childhood.”

The support received from the local community and businesses has included buying the veg grown by the group and providing materials to help build a shed.

The shed has been named 'Bren's Den' to provide the allotment community with a space to meet and shelter from the elements.

The group aims to grow “mighty oaks from little acorns” and plans to continue fundraising. The hope is that the fund will continue to grow and support Herriot Hospice Homecare in Bren’s memory, ensuring that his legacy lives on, well into the future.