A GENEROUS spirited Oldham family business have been praised for donating a vital £30,000 lifeline to a charity helping to strengthen communities.

Manchester Cabins and Bunkabin is run by Frank Rothwell, his son Luke Rothwell and married daughter Su Schofield who say they would ike to encourage businesses who benefited from Covid and government help, to give back to the community.

In a joint statement they said: “Some businesses are busier than ever due to Covid while others have been crushed through no fault of their own.

“We've benefitted from the shift in demands created by Covid-19.

"For example, we currently have over 600 Bunkabin Site Sleepers being used for isolation pods in prisons.

“Some employees needed to shield and we received furlough money, but we have decided to do the right thing and give the equivalent money back, directly to those that need it in the Oldham communities.

“Action Together and their associated charities will channel our donation directly to amazing people making a huge difference to so many people in our local area.

“It just does not sit comfortable with us to benefit out of this terrible situation and at the same time take money out of the public purse without helping those impacted hard.”

Cllr Arooj Shah, the borough council's deputy leader and the cabinet member for Covid-19 response, said: “We’re incredibly blessed and lucky in Oldham.

"We have businesses like Manchester Cabins who care about the wider community and want to give back.

“The winter months are going to be really difficult. Unfortunately we’re going to see job losses, reduction in hours for people and people being furloughed.

“This kindness is so typical of the Team Oldham spirit that we’ve seen throughout this pandemic.

“Action Together have been a lifeline to many individuals and organisations here in Oldham and we’re so grateful to the whole team.

“ If you would like to join Frank in supporting Action Together, visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/OldhamCoronavirus.”

Liz Windsor-Welsh, the chief executive of Action Together, said: “We are delighted to receive this incredibly generous donation from Manchester Cabins and Bunkabin.

“We can provide 30 small grants to grass-roots voluntary and community groups who are working tirelessly to support Oldham’s communities.

“This winter will be the hardest in living memory for many people in Oldham, and this kind donation will go a long way to help us get support to those who most need it.

“A personal thanks to all at Manchester Cabins, and encourage anyone able to give, to go online and make a donation to the Oldham Community Recovery Fund.”