Act 15 of 30: Supporting David’s Walks for the Rose Garden Café

For Act 15 of our 30 for 30 campaign, we headed to Sheffield to support a local resident going the extra mile for a much-loved community landmark. 

David, from Woodseats, is currently undertaking sponsored walks to raise money towards the restoration of the Rose Garden Café in Graves Park. 

After hearing about his efforts, we were delighted to welcome David to our Premier Community Mobility Shop in Woodseats, where we presented him with a £250 donation towards the campaign. 

The Rose Garden Café, originally known as the Tea Pavilion, first opened in 1927 and has been part of Graves Park for almost a century. Built in a distinctive mock Tudor style, it has hosted generations of local families and even significant community celebrations over the years. 

Next year will mark the building’s 100th anniversary, making the campaign to restore it feel even more special. 

When the café suddenly closed in 2022, the local community was understandably devastated. Since then, the Friends of Graves Park, the Save the Rose Garden Café Campaign and Sheffield City Council have worked together to help secure its future. 

The café has now reopened, but external scaffolding and supports remain while plans continue for a full restoration. 

Plans have been drawn up, estimates completed and planning permission applied for. The next big challenge is raising the money needed to make the restoration happen. 

At the time of our donation, the campaign had already raised an impressive £36,028.07. 

David’s sponsored walks are one part of that wider community effort, and we were proud to support him with a contribution through our 30 for 30 campaign. 

Meeting David and hearing more about the project was a brilliant reminder that sometimes the places that matter most to a community are the ones filled with memories, familiarity and shared history. 

The campaign is still looking for support from local people and businesses, whether through donations, fundraising, spreading the word or offering professional skills and resources. 

You can find out more about the restoration project through the Friends of Graves Park website. 

We wish David every success with his sponsored walks and are proud to play a small part in helping this much-loved Sheffield landmark remain part of Graves Park for generations to come.