COMMUNITY spirited Oldham mayor Cllr Ginny Alexander has given special £300 cash donations each to three local causes.

Terence O'Grady Social Club meets at St Annes Rugby Club and is named after a doctor, the chief medical officer for health for Lancashire.

The club was first formed in April, 1961 and first met at The Laurels, Chadderton.

It provides social and leisure activities for young people from 16 years old upwards with learning disabilities who live in Chadderton, Royton, Shaw, Failsworth and Middleton - all areas in the Lancashire County Health Authority.

The club normally meets one evening a week and on the last Tuesday of the month for a disco night. With current membership numbers at 120, there is a weekly attendance of about 90 ranging of 16 years old to 70 plus.

There are 27 volunteer helpers, two paid club leaders, a special needs teacher and a registered school nurse.

Every year they take 35 members to Blackpool for a long weekend and they also have a Summer Ball and a Christmas Party.

In 2016, the volunteer helpers of the Terence O'Grady Club were given The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

It's Facebook site can found at https://www.facebook.com/TerenceOGradySocialCLub.

Anyone interested in volunteering or donating enquiries can be made to:

Carole Kindon 07780778810, Carol Stacey 07989423597 or Phil Webber 07972501837.

Meanwhile, cash has also gone to the One World Community Hub on Connaught Street, Oldham, where adults with additional needs come together and meet new friends and with the help and support of staff join in and enjoy lots of activities such as arts and crafts, bingo and Karaoke.

It is part of the Unitarian Church.

The kitchen is also a training facility for people with special needs, autism and disabilities and helps people to become more independent. Moreover, the food is great which they make for me when I visit.

The mayor said: “I watched their brilliant Christmas concert last year and was looking forward to this year’s. However, they are not letting Covid restrictions beat them and they have already started to practice their virtual Christmas concert. I can’t wait.

“Please watch these videos which they have sent to me - one to say thank you for my donation and the other to give us a sneak preview of their Virtual Christmas Concert at https://www.facebook.com/1652841736/videos/10215527932305423/ and https://www.facebook.com/1652841736/videos/10215528520960139/

“One World Community Hub are always seeking volunteers, sponsors and transport."

The hub is normally open Tuesday to Friday. Anyone who can help should contact Sharon :07476 077470 or email: oneworld1973@gmail.com.

And Ambitions Oldham & Tameside - "Adults with Learning & Physical Disabilities" is a voluntary group community organisation for young people and adults with learning and physical disabilities, which has also received a donation.

Cllr Alexander said: "The volunteers work throughout the year and do an amazing job.

“They have been meeting at Bank Top Tavern thanks to Pam and Shamus who are the pub’s landlady and landlord.

"The group would normally run the social club from there every Monday 11am till 3pm providing Arts & Crafts, card bingo, pool, table tennis and much more at Oldham Baptist Church, Chaucer Street. Ambitions hold themed Discos every Thursday.”

To be a part of the team and help with voluntary work contact: Jonathan 07977 075998 or: jonathan.ambitions@hotmail.co.uk