Making a big change in town - Action Oldham Fund is five years old!

Action Oldham Fund is celebrating its fifth birthday tomorrow (Wednesday). 

Action Oldham has started a ripple of change in the town, giving out £465,000 in grants to over 100 groups in the last five years.

Project grants of up to £10,000 have been awarded to 58 local groups and Seedcorn grants of up to £1,000 have been awarded to 50 local groups.

Action Together manages the Fund and wants to thank all businesses, wider partners and individuals who have donated to the Action Oldham Fund. 

Clare Taylor, Fund Development Co-ordinator, said: “If you have donated to the Action Oldham Fund then you have helped to reduced the loneliness and isolation of older people, helped support parents of babies in neonatal care, reduced the risk of young girls being subjected to female genital mutilation, helped get people into work, and more.”

As part of the fifth birthday celebrations, Action Oldham challenged local people to climb Snowdon.

The eager team set off early, ready to conquer the iconic mountain, and within the hour after climbing in the torrential wind and rain they were all soaking, freezing, yet remained in high spirits!

They reached the summit and was back down to Llanberis in a very impressive five and a half hours, a record-breaking time

Sam McNicholls said: “I have climbed Snowdon once before for the Action Oldham Fund, but nothing could prepare me for the weather this time.

"As we got to the top the 40mph winds and hail was horrendous and almost felt like we were going to be blown off the top.

"On the way down the weather cleared up for the last 30 minutes, but by this time we soaked through to the bone.

"We have raised £500 so far, though, and we still have donations coming in. It is amazing that so many people supported us.”

Action Oldham Fund encourages local giving to smaller volunteer-led organisations, such as older people's luncheon clubs, self-help groups, support groups for children and young people, to transform the lives of people right on our doorstep.

Giving to the Action Oldham Fund and you will be transforming local peoples lives.

A grant was awarded to start a men’s group, Maori.

Its organiser Steve Yorke said: “The Action Oldham funding was vital to starting the Men's Group.  

"Through a range of activities and experiences we have addressed isolation and loneliness.

"We have seen men grow in confidence, support each other and wanting to be involved in organising future activities. It's so rewarding to see such a change.” 

If you would like to change lives by taking on our October skydive, create your own fundraising event, or become a business partner, contact: Clare.Taylor@actiontogether.org.uk or check out: www.actionoldhamfund.org.uk

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