Team that’s dedicated to friendship

A GROUP of volunteers has been nominated for a Pride In Oldham Award.

The Walkers Road Community Centre Committee members dedicate their time to getting residents out and socialising.

Lil Nicholls is committee chairman with fellow committee members Eunice Bailey, Marion Butterworth, Clara Heath, Brenda Jakeway, Elizabeth Knott, Jean Meehan and Jeffrey McCormick helping out.

The current committee has organised a range of events over the past five years after taking over from the previous committee members.

The members meet three times a week to host bingo games, dance classes and a lunch club.

Active

Aimed at the over 50s who have free time on their hands, around 20 people regularly attend, with the oldest person a sprightly 97 years old.

The aim is to get people socialising in a fun atmosphere, helping them to make friends and stay active.

The committee has no regular source of funding so has to battle to secure grants.

The committee was nominated by member Elizabeth Knott, who feels what the group does makes a huge difference in the community.

Trip

Elizabeth said: “The committee, past and present members, deserves this recognition.

“Lil does everything, from ringing around to promote us to thinking of new things to do.

“We try our best to make a difference. We get by with no regular funding and do as much as we can with what we do have.

“We recently took around 45 people on a day trip to Cleveleys, which was fun.”

Lil, who was pleased to accept the nomination on behalf of the group, said: “We do a lot, so it’s really nice to be nominated.

“I first got involved when I retired and started going to the groups, where I was eventually voted on to the committee. We all really enjoy what we do here.”