Charity is full of beans thanks to boater

Mercia Marina has paid tribute to one of its boaters who has been helping collect donations on behalf of a charity’s food bank appeal.

Neil Potter, who is moored at the marina, near Willington, has been collecting donations for the South Derbyshire CVS food bank appeal, which supports individuals and families facing food insecurity in the community.

Donations of non-perishable food items, toiletries, and monetary contributions are urgently needed to keep the shelves stocked.

Neil has frequently collected donations in Willington and Findern armed with the cart he uses to do voluntary litter picking.

He then had the idea to boost the success of his collections by taking on the persona of ‘Bean Man’ – donning a Heinz Beans costume.

At this year’s busy Willington Carnival, he stacked up more than £500 of food donations.

Adrian Moore, from South Derbyshire CVS, said: “Neil has worked so hard, and his character makes him instantly recognisable, bringing out generosity from all those he encounters.”