Nottinghamshire Engineer Lays Tracks for Charity Success

Ollerton’s Jonathan Roe, a surveyor with Openreach, has combined his passion for trains and his engineering know-how to create a miniature garden railway, which has already raised thousands for local charities.

His story is now being recognised in a national campaign promoting volunteering, showing how people can use their hobbies to make a real difference and encourage others to get involved in supporting their local communities.

New research commissioned by Openreach as part of their ‘With Every Fibre’ campaign reveals that 46% of people in the UK volunteer in their communities. And more than a third (34%) of those who volunteer also say the skills they’ve gained, such as confidence and leadership, have helped them progress in their careers.

What started as a personal hobby in the winter of 2021 has quickly evolved into a project that has captured the hearts of locals. "Neighbours think I’ve gone off the rails," Jonathan jokes, "but my garden railway has already raised thousands for charity."

His miniature train setup, complete with mini-stations, sidings, and a carriage shed, has attracted children and families from around the local area, particularly those with autism, who have enjoyed open days to explore and interact with the trains.

“I’ve always enjoyed the railways, and during the pandemic, I decided to take my love of trains to the next level by building a miniature railway right here in my garden,” says Jonathan. “What started off as a personal project quickly became something bigger, and I realised I could use it to raise money for local causes.”

Jonathan has hosted several charity events, opening up his garden for train rides and adding attractions like classic car shows. His efforts have already raised over £500 for The Rosie May Foundation, and his next event is a fundraiser for the John Eastwood Hospice.

“Seeing the smiles on children’s faces, particularly those with autism who might not always get the chance to experience something like this, has been the most rewarding part of the project,” he adds. “A friend’s nephew, who loves trains, was one of the first visitors. His reaction was priceless, and it made me want to share the experience with more families.”

Jonathan’s dedication to his local community reflects broader national trends. According to the recent research, nearly half of people in the UK (46%) now volunteer in their local areas. Jonathan is not only a passionate hobbyist but also an inspiring example of how personal interests can be turned into impactful charity work.

“I know it’s not your average garden project,” Jonathan admits. “But the feedback from the community has been incredible, and that keeps me going. My next goal is to extend the railway even further, and maybe one day, I’ll be able to expand into the unused land behind my house.”

With big plans for the future, Jonathan is set to continue his mission of bringing joy to his local community through his garden railway while raising much-needed funds for worthy causes.

Kasam Hussain, Openreach’s regional director said: “We couldn't be prouder to see all the incredible volunteering work taking place, including Jonathan’s miniature railway in Nottinghamshire.

“It’s great to see how he’s using his free time to raise money for such great causes.  All Openreach’s teams can take up to three paid days off to give back to their communities or charities of choice, with thousands volunteering and fundraising both in and out of work time.

”Here in Nottinghamshire, our engineers are carrying out great work to connect more and more people to full fibre broadband every week. More than 300,000 homes and business across the county can now upgrade, and thousands already have, thanks to our work. If you’re still to make the switch, visit Openreach’s fibre checker to see if our network has reached your area.”

Openreach has a team of 1,400 people working across Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands, many of them engineers working on making full fibre broadband available.

This once-in-a-generation upgrade – which has already reached 1.1 million homes across the region - is transforming daily life and helping local companies thrive online.