OLDHAM'S Mecca bingo is hoping for a full house tomorrow as comes to the aid of a charity shop which was ransacked by despicable thieves just hours after opening.

After hearing the new Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice shop, in Oldham Road, Royton, had been targeted by lowlife thugs who broke in, stole £500 takings and smashed up the premises following their open day two weeks ago, they decided they just had to help.

Touched by the sad plight of the shop - which was opened as a vital fundraiser for the Forget Me Not Charity which provides care to youngsters with life-shortening conditions across Oldham, Rochdale and Bury and is on the verge of opening new hospice, "Grace's Place", in Radcliffe - staff at the town centre club decided to organise a fundraising night.

Local supermarkets have also pitched in to help by donating some fantastic prizes.

Starting at 7pm, there will be scheduled bingo games and chance to win all sorts of goodies.

Speaking about the event, operations manager at Mecca Oldham, Jayne Farrand, said: "Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice is such an important charity in the local area. When we heard the new shop had been broken into, we knew we had to help.

"There will be lots of fun surprises throughout the night with some great prizes on offer. We hope we can help show the support the charity has in the community."

Helen Latham, senior fundraiser for Forget Me Not Children's Hospice Grace's Place, said: "We are just incredibly grateful to the staff at Mecca Bingo Oldham for getting in touch and offering to help.

"Less than two weeks following the break in at our Royton Shop, Jayne and her team have organised a fantastic bingo event to raise funds for Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, Grace’s Place.

"We are so fortunate to have such wonderful support from the local community."

Tickets, costing £15, can be bought in advance from the front desk at the club, in King Street, or they will be available on the night.

For more information on the charity evening call 01616267224.

MECCA SUPPORTS LOCAL HOSPICE AFTER ROBBERY

Mecca Bingo in Oldham is holding a fundraising event this Saturday 14th April for a local charity after thieves stole £500 on its opening weekend.

The shop, which is run for Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, has only just officially opened to the public just hours before the robbery took place.

With the Mecca Oldham club situated less than two miles away, the team knew they had to do something to help.

A charity evening will be held, starting at 7pm, on Saturday 14th April with tickets costing £15. Alongside the scheduled bingo games, there will also be the chance to win some great prizes donated by local supermarkets.

Speaking about the event, Operations Manager at Mecca Oldham Jayne Farrand said: “Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice is such an important charity in the local area, when we heard the new shop had been broken into, we knew we had to help.

“There will be lots of fun surprises throughout the night with some great prizes on offer. We hope we can help show the support the charity has in the community.”

Tickets can be bought in advance from the front desk at the club situated on King Street and they will also be available on the night.

For more information on the charity evening, please drop into the club, situated on King Street, or call 01616267224.