A COMMUNITY group in Oldham is one of 164 organisations to receive a £500 funding donation as part of Skipton Building Society's Grassroots Giving scheme.

The Wednesday Walkers were delighted when their funding submission was accepted.

The group offers members the chance to talk part in a weekly walk around the area, with walks ranging from 5 to 7, 6 to 8, 8 to 10 and 10/12 miles with varied terrain to match each level.

Since the group began in April, 1986, when President Ida Ashworth, now 89, set off for an informal walk with nine other, the club has grown to more than 230 members.

The group enjoy regularly social events and walking holidays, as well as taking part in fundraising events for Mountain Rescue, Air Ambulance and RNLI organisations.

Maureen Lindsay, Wednesday Walkers Chair Lady, said: "Even with our large numbers we pride ourselves on being a friendly club, free of cliques, and although we recognise the fact that we have to be well organised in order to function we will hopefully never lose sight of the fact that we are here to help each other and ensure that the experiences we provide are enjoyable and fruitful."

She added that the funding will be used to provide regular training and annually update members on Heartstart issues to ensure they are prepared should a member become ill during a walk.

Maureen said: "Heartstart training has already proved invaluable within our Club by saving a members life.

"Our Club and its members are the perfect combination to offer training to others in the hope of saving life in emergency situations.

"By playing our small part in offering training in Heartstart and our commitment to preservation of the environment for the enjoyment of ourselves and others, we feel that there will be many who will benefit from our actions.

The funding will also be used to buy items for use by club volunteers to help with clearing footpaths in the area.

Maureen continued: "During our footpath clearances last year, it became clear that with more “industrial” equipment, we could continue this important work in 2017 and beyond and make the task easier and quicker, thus clearing more paths.

"With all this work we are keen to help to preserve the footpaths for generations to come."

The Rochdale Retirement Choir are also singing the praises of the building society after also receiving £500 from the grassroots giving scheme.

The choir was part of Rochdale Music Service for 25 years until becoming independent in January this year.

It moved to its new home at St Aidan's Church Hall, Rochdale, and meets weekly on Mondays between 1pm and 3pm.

There are no auditions and new members are always welcome in the choir, which performs a variety of concerts and at events during the year.

Ian Butterworth, Chairman, said: "We are a community group and are open to anyone who enjoys singing.

"The choir offers people a great reason to leave the house, meet new people and be social.

"Singing has also been found to have health benefits."

The money will enable the choir to continue to raise their profile within the community, add new music to their reportire and help with the costs of running the choir.

Ian added: "It will be a boost in for our choir's development."

Kerry Bray and Nancy McNeile from the branch invited both groups into the Market Street branch for a celebration event with food and refreshments.

Kerry, Oldham branch manager, said: "It is wonderful to have both the groups, including customers, here in the branch and celebrate the donations.

"We know that many of our customers are part of local community groups and we always tell them about the grassroots giving scheme and how to apply.

"It's fantastic that two groups from the branch have been successful this year.

"Giving back to the community is a very important aspect of what we do at Skipton and the grassroots giving scheme is part of that."

This year Skipton Building Society donated £82,000 to help small groups and organisations make a difference in their communities with 64 organisations chosen by public votes.