WITH little chance of finding the arsonists who burned down a gardening project used by a mental health charity, PCSO Rob Bliss knew he had to act.

So using his contacts from the Banbury community, he rallied companies to donate a replacement summer-house and gardening supplies.

Charity Restore said people with mental health problems were devastated by the fire, which caused £800 of damage, as their gardening project had been helping with their recovery. was helping with their recovery.

PCSO Bliss said the site’s remote location at Spital Farm, off Thorpe Way, and the night-time attack made investigations difficult.

He said of the charity: “When I saw their faces I thought ‘I have to do something’.

“I used some of my contacts. I get on well with the stores and I was overwhelmed with the support I received. I was surprised given the hard times we are in.”

A family member had received support from the Calthorpe Street charity, he said, making him more determined to help.

The fire, overnight on November 7 and 8, destroyed the summer-house and gardening equipment such as Wellington boots and chairs stored inside.

Hillier’s Garden Centre replaced the summer-house with an ex-display model worth £1,500 and donated £100 of gardening equipment.

Homebase gave hammers, screwdrivers, screws and trugs, Argos gave deck chairs and a barbecue and Brantano gave 12 pairs of wellies.

Chris Wilde, manager of Hillier’s, in Compton Road, said: “It is a cause that I had heard about and it is close to a few of our hearts so I thought it was something we could help with.

“It was good to see the police following it up and making it better by going out of their way.”

Restore’s Katrina Horne said: “In mental health, relations with the police are not always a positive one so it has really benefited people to see police officers that are happy to go out of their way to help.

“We are hugely thankful. These links in the community are really important.”

Users of the charity had found putting up the summer-house in March and April therapeutic, she said.

The charity has run activities and recovery groups since setting up in the town last year.